When someone has been drinking and realizes they need to drive, panic can set in. Many people turn to so-called “sober up quick” tricks, believing they can speed up the sobering process enough to safely get behind the wheel.
However, taking a cold shower, eating a big meal, downing an energy drink or exercising might make a person feel more alert, but none of these methods actually reduces blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The body needs time to metabolize alcohol, and no shortcut can change that biological fact.
Separating truth from fiction
Alcohol affects everyone differently depending on factors like weight, sex, metabolism, whether an individual is suffering from an acute or chronic illness and how much food is in the stomach. However, on average, the liver can only process about one standard drink per hour. A “standard drink” means roughly twelve ounces of beer, five ounces of wine or one and a half ounces of liquor. Once alcohol enters the bloodstream, nothing—no amount of coffee, water, food or time spent in the cold—can force the liver to work faster. Only time can bring a person’s blood alcohol level back down to zero.
The myth of quick sobriety is one of the most dangerous misunderstandings about drinking. People often feel more awake after a cup of coffee or a brisk walk, leading them to believe they are sober enough to drive. In reality, alcohol continues to impair coordination, reaction time and judgment long after those temporary bursts of energy fade. And even when someone whose BAC is over the legal limit is “feeling fine,” they can be charged with a per se drunk driving offense, even if they don’t drive erratically or cause anyone harm.
Police officers are trained to recognize signs of intoxication that go beyond slurred speech or the smell of alcohol. Field sobriety tests, breath tests and blood analysis provide objective evidence of impairment that cannot be disguised by short-term tricks. Trying to “beat the system” usually makes matters worse, as it can appear that a driver knew they were impaired but was actively choosing to drive anyway.
No shortcut can make you instantly sober, and believing otherwise can lead to a DUI charge, license suspension or worse—serious injury or loss of life. If a mistake or misunderstanding ever leads to a DUI arrest, it isn’t a good idea to say, “I felt sober enough to drive.” It’s better to remain quiet, exercise your right to contact a reputable attorney and do what is necessary to build a strong defense.
