How to Sober Up Fast From Alcohol, Cocaine, and Other Substances

Substances like alcohol, cannabis, and psychedelics can affect how you think, feel, and act. In other words, these substances can make you feel “drunk” or “high.” And certain drugs can even make you lose touch with reality — especially in higher doses. 

Unfortunately, most of the time there’s no fast way to sober up from alcohol, cannabis, and other substances. Here’s the truth: Sobering up or “getting unhigh” takes time. But while you’re waiting for the effects to wear off, there are some things you can do to keep yourself safe and comfortable. 

Let’s take a closer look at how long it takes to sober up from alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs.

How to sober up fast from alcohol

There are many myths about how to sober up fast from alcohol, but here’s the hard truth: You can’t. The only true remedy is time. And the more servings you’ve had, the more time you’ll need to sober up or get “undrunk.” 

How long does it take for the effects of alcohol to wear off?

How long you need to wait to sober up from alcohol can depend on several factors. You can control some of these, but not all:

• How much you consumed: The more you drink, the more time you’ll need to clear the alcohol out of your system. Your liver can only process about 1 drink per hour. If you’ve had a lot to drink, you could be intoxicated for many hours — or even still be drunk the next day. 

• Your sex: Women can feel the effects of alcohol faster and longer compared to men, even when they drink the same amount.

• If you mixed drugs and alcohol: Mixing alcohol with medications or other substances (like cocaine) can change how it affects your body.

While you’re waiting to sober up, here are some suggestions on what you can do to keep yourself (or others) safe and comfortable. 

What foods soak up alcohol?

There aren’t any foods that will “soak up” alcohol after you’ve started drinking or help you to sober up. Water doesn’t help sober you up either.

But drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can make you feel the effects of alcohol more rapidly. This is because your stomach keeps food — and alcohol — inside while it’s digesting. This prevents the alcohol from getting into your intestines as quickly, where it’s absorbed into your bloodstream. 

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Any food will help slow down alcohol absorption, but fatty, high-protein foods have the biggest effect. 

Can coffee help you stop being drunk?

No. Coffee won’t help you sober up. That’s a myth. A cup of coffee might help you feel more alert, but it won’t change your blood alcohol level. The only thing that can help you sober up is time.

In fact, mixing caffeine with alcohol can even be dangerous sometimes. Drinking caffeine with alcohol can mask the effects of alcohol. And it can lead you to end up drinking more than you intend. 

Does throwing up sober you up?

No. When you’re drunk, throwing up won’t make you any less intoxicated. That’s because the alcohol has already left your stomach and is in your bloodstream and brain. 

How to sober up from weed

Just like alcohol, time is the only way to sober up from cannabis. 

The effects of cannabis can last for many hours, depending on how much you’ve used and what type. If you’ve inhaled cannabis, the effects might peak in a couple of hours. But if you’ve had a cannabis edible or beverage, the effects could last much longer — sometimes even into the next day. It also depends on how strong the drug is and how often you use it. 

Most of the time, the effects of cannabis will completely wear off with time. While waiting to sober up, relaxation strategies or distractions can help you stay calm, like: 

• Listening to music or watching TV

• Talking to a friend

• Taking a walk

• Doing a creative activity, like coloring

• Taking a shower or a bath

It’s also a good idea to stay away from caffeine, alcohol, or other substances — as these might actually make your high stronger in some cases. 

How to sober up from stimulants, including cocaine

Time is the only way to sober up from stimulants such as cocaine, meth, and prescription drugs like Adderall and Vyvanse. There’s no fast way to come down from cocaine and other stimulants. 

How long you’ll feel the effects of stimulants depends on how much you used and your tolerance. Stimulants can take several hours or even several days to fully clear your system. And, in some rare cases, the effects can last for weeks or even months.

Sometimes, people who misuse stimulants can lose touch with reality (psychosis). When this happens, healthcare professionals may administer medications like benzodiazepines and antipsychotics to help — usually in an emergency room setting. Though these medications won’t make you sober, they can help you stay calm and comfortable until the effects wear off. 

How to sober up from opioids

Only time can sober you up from opioids like heroin, fentanyl, or prescription opioids — though Narcan can temporarily reverse the effects of an overdose. 

The effects of opioids can be short-lived or long-lasting. It depends on the type of drug, how you use it, and if you took it with other substances. It also matters whether you have a high tolerance or not. 

Recognizing an opioid overdose

Opioid overdose is a leading cause of death in the U.S. Common signs of opioid overdose are: 

• Slow or no breathing

• Gurgling or choking sounds

• Small “pinpoint” pupils

• Loss of consciousness

• Cold, clammy, or blue skin

If you’re with someone who might have overdosed, call 911 right away. Administer naloxone (Narcan) if it’s available, and start CPR if they’re not breathing.

How to sober up from psychedelics

There’s no quick way to sober up from psychedelics, like psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA. Like other drugs, it takes time. How long it lasts will depend on which drug you use, how much you use, and how you use it (smoking, injecting, or swallowing). 

Effects can be short-lived, lasting less than an hour. Other times, they can last for many hours. In rare cases, people continue to have problems with hallucinations and flashbacks for months or even years (called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder). 

How to sober up someone else

There’s really no way to sober up someone else (or yourself) faster. Remember that the body needs time to process the alcohol or drugs, and you really can’t change how long that will take.

But there are still some things you can do to try and keep them safe and comfortable. It’s also important to know the signs of alcohol poisoning or a drug overdose, so you know when to get help.

Here are some tips for supporting someone while they’re sobering up. 

Stick to a safety plan

Using alcohol and other drugs lowers inhibitions and critical thinking skills, which can lead to risky behavior. You can help keep yourself and others safe by making a plan ahead of time — and sticking to it while you, or a friend, are sobering up. 

A safety plan could mean coordinating rides or designating a sober friend to help keep an eye on everyone. It can also mean setting limits on what types of substances you plan to use and how much — and helping each other stick to these limits. 

Know the signs of intoxication

Educate yourself about the signs of intoxication, so you can better understand whether your friend is sober or still under the influence. Since many of the substances on this list can change your perception, it can be hard for someone to know how alcohol or drugs are affecting them. 

Avoid mixing drugs

Mixing alcohol with other drugs can be an especially dangerous combination. This may apply to medications that are prescribed by a healthcare professional too. If your friend is intoxicated, discourage them from using any additional substances — including alcohol and caffeine. Water is the best choice. 

Get comfortable

Consuming too much of certain substances can lead to pretty uncomfortable feelings. There are definitely times when it’s best to get medical attention. But sometimes you only need to help someone stay comfortable, as they’re waiting to sober up. This can mean helping them stay hydrated or doing a soothing and safe activity like watching a movie or listening to music. 

Know when to get medical help 

The signs of an overdose can vary a lot and depend on the drug and the individual. But there are some general signs that mean you should get immediate medical attention:

• Vomiting

• Low body temperature

• Hallucinations

• Passing out

• Extreme agitation

• Acts of violence

• Difficulty breathing

• Inability to remember where you are or what you’re doing 

Remember that it’s best to have a plan ready before you need one so you know what to do if you need to get quick help.

What’s the difference between sobering up and detoxing?

Sobering up and detoxing are often used interchangeably. But in reality, they’re different things.

Sobering up is the time it takes to no longer feel intoxicated after using a substance. 

A detox, on the other hand, is usually a more involved process. Most of the time, it’s used when a person isn’t just trying to sober up but wants to “get sober” from drugs or alcohol after a prolonged period of use. 

A detox can take place at home or in a medical facility, depending on the substance. For some substances — like alcohol and opioids — it’s especially important to have medical supervision when you’re detoxing. That’s because these substances can cause very serious — and even life-threatening — withdrawal symptoms. 

If you drink alcohol, use drugs, or misuse prescription medications, talk with a healthcare professional before stopping. They can help you understand whether a supervised detox is necessary and what other treatment and medications might be helpful on your road to recovery. 

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Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

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