If you have reached this article because you are wondering about the time that must pass in order for you to stop feeling drunk, you can visit my article on that topic here. It should be noted that there are not many things that can speed up the process of getting sober, but drinking water and staying in a safe place (not driving or traveling) are very important. Drinking water will help you feel better faster, and will keep you from becoming dehydrated, which is especially important if you have been out in the sun at a baseball game or concert. The hangover that often follows a period of feeling drunk can only be alleviated by staying hydrated and drinking water, so hydration is a top priority regardless of the setting in which you were drinking alcohol. This blog is owned by an organization called Florida Springs Wellness and Recovery Center, and we are the best drug and alcohol rehab in Panama City, Florida. If you are experiencing drunkenness often, or you are using alcohol or other drugs even though they are having a negative effect on your life, it might make sense to call us today and speak to a counselor about drug and alcohol rehab and residential substance abuse treatment options. How long does it take to get sober? It takes hard work, more so than any exact amount of time. However, people begin recovery from substance use disorder, which includes alcohol and drug addiction, every day, and you can too!
If you do not have time to go to my longer article on how long it takes to sober up, I will give you a few basic facts here. Depending on sex and body weight, we can generally say that you will lower your blood alcohol level by 0.01 to 0.02 for every hour or two that you do not drink. So, if your current blood alcohol level is 0.16 and you feel very inebriated, you can expect to feel sober in 8-12 hours, but you might not feel great in the meantime. That is why I discussed drinking water and staying in a safe place, because that is simply the best course of action for you to take if you are asking about how to sober up or how long it takes to sober up.
If you or a loved one is interested in getting sober permanently, not just finding out how long it takes to sober up, but how one manages to stay sober over the course of many years, I am more of an expert on that issue. Becoming a sober person on a permanent basis is usually called recovery, but the first step in getting to recovery is looking into substance use disorder treatment. Substance use disorder is the name for things that we generally referred to as alcoholism or drug addiction in the past. I have no problem with the terms alcoholism or drug addiction, but substance use disorder encompasses both, and can also refer to people that have become physically dependent on a drug and need medical intervention, but do not consider themselves addicts. I believe it is up to each person what they want to call the problems that they are facing, but I call all of these problems substance use disorder (SUD).
Staying Sober Over Time
Do not be scared away by the fact that I mention people being sober over the course of many years. If negative consequences are happening to you as a result of drinking or drug use, long term sobriety is simply a solution that many people have come to through hard work and dedication. In AA, or Alcoholics Anonymous, people intend to stay sober long term, but they continually refer to the idea of taking things “one day at a time”. If you go to 12-step meetings like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), “one day at a time” is a phrase you may hear. That phrase is used to remind all of us that planning for the long-term future, including planning to be sober into the future, is an overwhelming idea for many people, but staying sober for one day is not overwhelming. The first days of not using alcohol or drugs can be difficult, but it gets easier over time. Before you know it, “one day at a time” has turned into a few weeks or months and you are on the road to recovery and a brighter future for you and your family.
If you or someone you care about is thinking about sobering up or getting clean, please look at the programs page on this website, or call the phone number above. Whether you are asking, “how long does it take to sober up” because you want to stop being drunk in this moment, or forever, all of us know someone who has been touched by addiction diseases, and there is information and help out there. Call Florida Springs today if you would like to speak to a counselor at the best drug and alcohol rehab in Florida.
By T.A. Cannon (Contact me at TACannonWriting@gmail.com)
