TL;DR

• The fastest way to get sober is time. Nothing reliably removes alcohol effects immediately.
• Coffee, cold showers, and “detox drinks” can make you feel more awake, but they do not lower BAC.
• You can support safety with water, food, rest, and not driving, but you still may be impaired.
• If someone is very sleepy, vomiting, confused, or breathing slowly, treat it as an emergency.
• If you want to stop drinking long-term, getting support is the best “fast” move that actually lasts.

If you’re asking “how to get undrunk,” the honest answer is: you can’t shortcut the biology, but you can make the situation safer.

Why you can’t “remove alcohol effect immediately”

People search things like “how to sober up quickly,” “fastest way to get sober,” and “how to stop being drunk fast” because they want a quick fix.

Alcohol leaves your body mostly through metabolism. Your body processes it at a limited pace, and that pace is not something you can safely hack on demand. You might feel more alert with certain tricks, but your coordination, reaction time, and judgment can still be impaired.

In plain terms:

• Time lowers your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
• Most “instant sober” ideas change how you feel, not how impaired you are.

Myths that don’t actually sober you up

These myths are popular because they feel like they work.

Coffee or energy drinks

Caffeine can make you feel more awake, but it does not remove alcohol from your system. The risk is you feel “fine” and make unsafe decisions.

Cold showers

Cold water can shock you into feeling more alert, but it does not lower BAC. It can also be risky if you’re dizzy.

Vomiting on purpose

This does not remove alcohol that’s already absorbed into your bloodstream. It can also cause choking or injury.

Sweating it out (sauna, heavy exercise)

Sweating does not meaningfully remove alcohol. If you’re intoxicated, heavy activity can raise risk of falls, dehydration, and heart strain.

“Detox” drinks, quick cleanses, or supplements

These are unreliable and can cause dehydration, stomach upset, and a false sense of security.

What you can do right now (safer, practical steps)

If you’re trying to “get sober fast,” shift the goal from “erase it” to reduce risk and stabilize.

1) Do not drive or operate anything dangerous

This is the highest leverage step. Even if you feel better, you can still be impaired.

2) Hydrate normally

• Sip water.
• Avoid chugging huge amounts quickly.
• Avoid mixing alcohol with more caffeine.

Hydration can help with how you feel, but it does not “flush” alcohol.

3) Eat something simple

Food can help with nausea, lightheadedness, and energy. Think simple and easy:

• toast, rice, bananas
• soup or crackers
• eggs or yogurt if tolerated

Food does not instantly sober you, but it can support comfort and stability.

4) Rest in a safe position

If someone is very sleepy, put them on their side (recovery position) to reduce choking risk if vomiting happens.

5) Keep someone with you if you’re very intoxicated

If you’re alone and worried, call someone you trust. People can deteriorate without realizing it.

How to sober someone up (without making it worse)

If you’re helping someone else:

• Stay calm and keep them seated or lying safely.
• Offer small sips of water if they can swallow normally.
• Keep them warm and monitor breathing.
• Do not “test” them by making them walk or shower.
• Do not let them “sleep it off” if they’re hard to wake.

When it’s an emergency: alcohol poisoning warning signs

If you see any of these, treat it as urgent and call emergency services:

• Trouble staying conscious or cannot be awakened
• Repeated vomiting, especially while sleepy
• Slow, irregular, or shallow breathing
• Confusion, seizures, or extreme agitation
• Pale, clammy, bluish skin or very low body temperature

Alcohol poisoning can be fatal. It is always better to get checked than to guess.

How long can you stay drunk?

It depends on:

• how much was consumed and how quickly
• body size and composition
• food intake
• medications and other substances
• individual metabolism

This is why “how can you sober up” does not have one universal answer. If you’re still feeling impaired, assume you still are.

If you meant “get sober” as in quit drinking

Sometimes “how to get sober from alcohol fast” is really about starting sobriety quickly, not just stopping intoxication.

If that’s you, here are the fastest steps that actually help:

1. Tell one person you trust today.
2. Remove alcohol from your home if you can safely do it.
3. Schedule support: therapy, a group, or an intake with a provider.
4. If you drink heavily or daily, do not quit suddenly without medical advice. Withdrawal can be dangerous.
5. Build a simple plan for cravings: meals, sleep, hydration, and a list of people to call.

Important note about other substances

Some searches in this topic include “how to sober up from cocaine” or “how to sober up from shrooms.” If multiple substances are involved, risk is higher and symptoms are less predictable. If someone is distressed, confused, or medically unwell, seek urgent medical help.

Final thoughts

You can’t instantly “undrunk.” Time is what lowers alcohol levels. The safest approach is to avoid driving, hydrate normally, eat lightly, rest safely, and watch for emergency symptoms. If your goal is longer-term sobriety, the quickest path is getting support and a plan that keeps you safe and consistent.