How Long Does it Take to Get Sober
- Dec 9, 2022
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 14
How long does it take to get sober? The answer to that question can change dramatically depending on what you mean by "sober." We'll explore the immediate physical effects of alcohol, as well as the long-term journey of recovery, giving you a complete picture of what to expect.
How long does it take for the effects of being drunk to wear off?
The immediate effects of alcohol intoxication, such as a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC), typically take a full day to wear off. This is because your body needs time to process the alcohol consumed, and this can often last well into the day after a night of heavy drinking.
The time it takes to get sober varies from person to person, but we've got all the information you need to understand the different factors at play. From the immediate effects of a night out to the long-term journey of recovery, we have a lot more to share on this topic, so keep reading.
Understanding the Immediate: Sobering Up After Drinking
When most people ask, "how long to sober up from alcohol," they are typically referring to the lengths of time it takes for their body to eliminate the amount of alcohol consumed and for the intoxicating effects to wear off. This is a purely physiological process centered on your BAC level.
It's important to understand that "sobering up" in this context is about when your bac level returns to zero, which happens when the liver has metabolized all the amount of alcohol. This process is relatively fixed, averaging about 0.015% per hour. If a person were to stop drinking and their BAC was 0.08%, it would take roughly five to six hours for the alcohol to be fully eliminated.
However, a different and much longer process is the recovery from long-term heavy consumption, which can involve managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
The Science of Alcohol Metabolism
Your liver is the primary organ responsible for breaking down alcohol, and it operates at a surprisingly consistent, non-negotiable pace.
Fixed Rate of Elimination: The liver metabolizes alcohol at a relatively fixed rate, typically reducing your BAC by about 0.015% per hour. This rate is largely unaffected by popular myths like drinking coffee, taking a cold shower, or eating food.
The Only True Sobering Agent: Time is the single and only effective way to lower your BAC. Everything else only changes how you feel, not the actual concentration of alcohol in your bloodstream.
How Alcohol Affects Your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
The rate at which your BAC increases depends on several factors, but a good rule of thumb can provide a starting point.
BAC Increase Per Drink: As a general rule, a single standard alcoholic drink consumed over an hour can raise the average person's BAC by approximately 0.02% to 0.05%. This range accounts for variables like weight, biological sex, and food intake.
Defining a Standard Drink: For calculation purposes, a standard drink is defined as:
12 ounces of regular beer (about 5% alcohol)
5 ounces of wine (about 12% alcohol)
1.5 ounces of distilled spirits or liquor (about 40% or 80-proof alcohol)
Legal Impairment: In the United States, a BAC of 0.08% means you are legally drunk and face serious legal consequences, such as a DUI, if you operate a vehicle.
Example: If a person has a BAC of 0.10% after a night of heavy drinking, it will take them approximately 0.10% / 0.015% / hour ≈ 6.67 hours to return to a BAC of 0.00%. The average person at the legal limit (0.08%) will take anywhere between 4 and 8 hours to completely process the alcohol in their system.
The "Still Drunk the Next Day" Reality
Many people underestimate how long alcohol stays in the system. After a night of particularly heavy consumption, it is very possible to wake up the next morning and still be legally impaired.
This happens because, while you were sleeping, your body continued to metabolize the alcohol at the same slow rate. You might feel less drunk due to rest and hydration, but the alcohol is still present. Never assume sleep has instantly made you sober; it only aids in the slow process of alcohol metabolism.
How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System for Testing?
Even after the intoxicating feeling of being drunk has passed, traces of alcohol metabolites can linger in the body, which is important information when considering drug or alcohol testing.
Test Type | Approximate Detection Time Window |
Breath (Breathalyzer) | Up to 12-24 hours |
Blood | Up to 12 hours |
Urine (Standard) | Up to 12-24 hours |
Urine (EtG Test) | Up to 72 to 80 hours (after heavy consumption) |
Saliva | Up to 12 hours |
Hair | Up to 90 days (for chronic use) |
It's important to understand that a positive test result simply means traces of alcohol remain, not that you are necessarily impaired. This is a key difference when discussing the science of how long alcohol is in your system.
The Deeper Answer: How Long Does It Take to Get Sober in Recovery?
The second, more significant interpretation of "how long does it take to get sober" moves beyond the short-term physiological effects and addresses the long-term process of recovering from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). This journey is one of holistic healing: mental, emotional, and physical.
Phase 1: Detoxification (The First Week)
The first step in getting sober from alcohol for someone with a dependence is often medical detoxification.
Duration: Typically lasts about 3 to 7 days.
What Happens: During this phase, the body physically rids itself of alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms, which can range from mild anxiety and tremors to severe, life-threatening seizures (known as delirium tremens or DTs), are managed with medical supervision. This is the critical, acute stage of physical sobriety.
Phase 2: Early Sobriety (The First Month)
Once the immediate threat of withdrawal is over, the work of addressing the underlying addiction begins.
Physical Recovery: Many physical health benefits begin to emerge. Sleep patterns may start to normalize, and physical energy levels improve. The liver begins its healing process.
Mental & Emotional Adjustment: This period is often marked by intense emotional swings, known as "paws" or Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. The brain's chemistry is recalibrating, a process of emotional regulation that takes time. Cravings can be strong.
Phase 3: Long-Term Recovery (Months and Years)
True, sustainable sobriety is a lifelong commitment to mental and emotional growth. How long will it take to be sober? The answer is: as long as it takes to build a fulfilling life that doesn't rely on alcohol.
Brain Chemistry Healing: The brain takes significant time to restore pathways damaged by alcohol abuse. It can take 6 months to a year for the brain's GABA receptors (those related to anxiety and relaxation) to begin functioning closer to normal. This neurological recovery is central to maintaining sobriety.
Therapy and Support: Effective recovery often involves continuous participation in support groups (like AA), intensive outpatient therapy (IOP), and building mindfulness practices. The focus shifts from simply not drinking to actively recovering from alcohol abuse by addressing triggers, developing coping mechanisms, and managing the stresses of the real world. Many find that continued engagement in outpatient therapy can last for years.
The time it takes to truly become sober is measured not in hours or days, but in the sustained growth of one's ability to live a happy, alcohol-free life. It is an ongoing process of self-improvement and developing a strong mind-body connection.
Do I Have a Drinking Problem? Recognizing Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
If you are concerned about your drinking habits and wondering about the second definition of getting sober, it can be helpful to review the diagnostic criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), as outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Meeting two or more of the following criteria in the past year indicates a possible AUD:
Drinking more or for longer than was intended.
Unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop alcohol use.
Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol consumption.
Experiencing a strong craving for alcohol.
Failing to fulfill responsibilities at work, school, or home due to drinking alcohol.
Continuing to drink despite having social problems caused or worsened by the effects of alcohol.
Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are stopped or reduced because of alcohol use.
Drinking in physically dangerous situations (e.g., driving).
Continuing to drink even though it is known to have negative effects on your physical or mental health.
Developing a tolerance to alcohol, meaning you need to drink significantly more to get the desired effect.
Having withdrawal symptoms after stopping alcohol use.
If you meet these criteria, professional help and rehabilitation offer the most structured path to getting sober.
Frequently Asked Questions
• What is the quickest way to sober up from alcohol?
The only thing that reduces your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is time. Your liver metabolizes alcohol at a fixed rate of approximately $0.015% per hour. While drinking water and resting may make you feel less impaired, they do not speed up the physiological process of getting the alcohol out of your system.
• How long does it take for alcohol to leave the body completely?
It takes the body about an hour and a half per standard drink to process the alcohol. For someone at the legal limit (BAC of $0.08\%$), it typically takes between 4 and 8 hours to reach a BAC of $0.00\%$. Traces (metabolites) can stay in your urine for up to 80 hours after heavy drinking.
• Does throwing up or coffee help you sober up?
No. Throwing up only removes unabsorbed alcohol from your stomach, not the alcohol that has already entered your bloodstream. Coffee is a stimulant that can make you feel more awake, but it does not speed up the liver's metabolism of alcohol. Both practices can create a false sense of security about your actual level of impairment.
• How long does it take to recover from alcohol abuse in terms of mental health?
Recovery from the mental and emotional aspects of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a process that can take many months or even years. While the acute physical detox is usually over in a week, the brain needs time for full recovery. Many individuals see significant improvements in mental clarity and emotional stability within the first 6 to 12 months of continuous sobriety, but the journey of self-discovery and maintenance of recovery is ongoing.
If you or a loved one are struggling with the issues discussed in this article, we at Chateau Health and Wellness Treatment Center are here to help. We understand that the path to sobriety can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to walk it alone. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate care and personalized treatment plans to guide you toward a healthier, more fulfilling life. Please reach out to us at (801) 877-1272; we are committed to helping you begin your journey to recovery today.
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About The Author
Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director
With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.
