Ways to Sober Up

You're sitting at a party or dancing at a bar, and suddenly you realize you've had one drink too many. You need to sober up, and fast. While you should never operate a car or other machinery until fully sober, there are methods that you can take to help you to feel more alert and in control more quickly.

Want to sober up? Here's how. (Image: Bobex-73/iStock/GettyImages)

Read more: 8 Reasons I Quit Drinking 16 Years Ago - and Never Went Back

Sleep

Take a nap to sober up. (Image: Dave & Les Jacobs/Blend Images/Getty Images)

Sleeping is the best way to get sober. It gives your body a chance to rest and recover and clear the alcohol out of your system. Even a quick nap can help, but the more time you can allow to sleep, the better, and more sober, you will feel.

Exercise

A quick run will help you sober up. (Image: Maridav/iStock/Getty Images)

It may be the last thing you want to do, but getting moving will help you to sober up quickly. Exercise helps keep your body awake and alert and metabolize th alcohol more quickly. A cold shower can also help jolt the body to alertness.

Eat

Eat a full meal and drink a lot of water before, during, and after drinking. Food will help dilute the alcohol in your blood. Drinking water will help flush the alcohol from your system and prevent dehydration. It will also help prevent hangovers. Drinking fruit juices containing Vitamin C and fructose will help your liver process the alcohol more quickly and effectively.

Carbon Capsules

Consume activated carbon or charcoal capsules. These pills, found in health food stores, absorb the alcohol that is left in the stomach, helping speed the recovery process.