Alcohol use is common in the United States. Alcohol is available in many social events and gatherings. Most adults report that they drink alcohol from time to time.
Many people struggle with heavy or unhealthy drinking. Heavy drinking can cause serious, life-threatening consequences for your mental and physical health. It is important to get help if you recognize the signs of alcohol addiction.
But is it possible to get alcohol out of your system once you’ve started drinking? This article will explore how long alcohol stays in your system. You will learn about how the body processes alcohol and what you can do to remove the alcohol in your body quickly.
If you or someone you love struggles with alcohol abuse, you are not alone. Contact the caring specialists at the Mandala Healing Center to learn about your treatment options.
Can You Flush Alcohol Out of Your System?
If you drink too much, the only thing you can do to get alcohol out of your system is to wait. You must also watch for signs of alcohol poisoning. Urine tests can detect alcohol for about 12 hours after your last drink.
You can do things to feel more awake and reduce unpleasant symptoms. These include:
- Drinking caffeine
- Eating
- Drinking water
- Sleeping
- Getting exercise
Your alcohol metabolizes about one drink per hour. The amount of time alcohol stays in your system depends on your liver health, how much you drink, and other factors.
The best way to avoid excessive alcohol consumption is to limit your drinking or avoid alcohol completely. You can limit your drinking by:
- Drinking a glass of water between alcoholic beverages
- Limiting yourself to one drink per hour
- Eating before you drink
- Eating while drinking
- Drinking beverages with a lower alcohol volume, such as light beer instead of cocktails
Ways to Flush Alcohol Out of Your System Naturally
On average, it takes about one hour for the body to process one standard drink. However, there are some steps you can take to potentially help your body process alcohol more efficiently:
Drink water
Drink plenty of water to help your body flush out toxins and support proper kidney function. Alcohol can severely dehydrate the body, so replenishing fluids is essential.
Eat a balanced meal
Eating food can slow down the absorption of alcohol in your bloodstream and may help reduce its negative effects. Focus on foods that are rich in healthy fats, proteins, and complex carbohydrates.
Get plenty of rest
Giving your body time to rest and recover can aid in the natural detoxification process.
Electrolyte replacement
Alcohol consumption can deplete your body’s electrolytes, so consuming beverages or foods that are high in electrolytes (such as coconut water or sports drinks) may help replenish these nutrients in your body.
Exercise
Engaging in light to moderate exercise can help increase metabolism and promote sweating, which may help alcohol from the body more quickly.
Herbal teas
Some herbal teas, such as ginger tea or peppermint tea, are thought to aid in digestion and promote detoxification. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support their effectiveness in eliminating alcohol from the body.
Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks
Caffeine and sugary drinks can further dehydrate the body and may increase the negative side effects of alcohol. Opt for water or herbal teas instead.
Time
Ultimately, giving your body time to naturally metabolize and eliminate alcohol is the most effective way to sober up and flush it out of your system.
While these tips may help alleviate some symptoms of alcohol consumption, they cannot speed up the body’s metabolic process significantly. As a result, the safest and most reliable way to sober up is to wait until your body has processed the alcohol naturally.
If you’ve consumed alcohol excessively or are experiencing severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
How Much Alcohol is Too Much?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises people to drink moderately. But what exactly does this mean?
The CDC defines moderate drinking as:
- One drink or fewer per day for women
- Two or fewer drinks per day for men
According to the CDC’s guidelines, a woman who drinks eight or more drinks in a week is a heavy drinker. A man who drinks fifteen or more drinks in a week is a heavy drinker.
A standard drink contains about 14 grams (or 0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. This roughly translates to:
- 12 ounces of beer (about 5% alcohol by volume)
- 5 ounces of wine (about 12% alcohol by volume)
- 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits or liquor (about 40% alcohol by volume)
People may drink heavily for several reasons. Some may develop a tolerance to alcohol after drinking regularly for some time.
Tolerance means that a person’s body has adjusted to alcohol. People with high alcohol tolerance need to drink a large amount of alcohol to feel buzzed or drunk.
People sometimes drink heavily to cover up emotional pain. They may drink so they don’t feel angry, anxious, bored, or lonely.
Alcohol abuse can cause a lot of short and long-term harm, including overdose. It is important to watch for signs of alcohol abuse and seek treatment as soon as possible.
Understanding the Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol depresses activity in the central nervous system. The short-term side effects of alcohol include:
- Relaxation
- Drowsiness
- Euphoria
- Mood changes
- Loss of inhibitions
- Impulsive behaviors
- Poor coordination
- Slurred speech
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Changes in vision, perception, and hearing
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory gaps (blacking out)
Some of alcohol’s effects can happen after someone has a small amount of alcohol. People may begin to feel relaxed or less inhibited after just one drink.
Other effects, including slurring, loss of consciousness, and memory gaps, can happen after someone drinks a lot.
The Signs of Alcohol Overdose
When someone drinks a lot in a short period, people call it “binge drinking.” Binge drinking is dangerous. People who consume a large amount of alcohol in a short period may have an overdose.
An alcohol overdose can be life-threatening. Here are some of the signs of an alcohol overdose:
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Pale, blue, or gray skin
- Low body temperature
- Losing consciousness
Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency. If you or someone near you shows signs of an alcohol overdose, call 911 right away. Turn the person’s head to keep them from choking on their vomit. Wait with the person until EMS arrives.
When to Seek Help
If you have trouble limiting the amount you drink, you may need professional support. Alcohol addiction is a complex condition. People who live with alcoholism deserve compassionate support and care.
An alcohol detox and treatment program can give you the care and treatment you need to stop drinking safely. You will also learn how to avoid relapse.
Find Alcohol Abuse Treatment
Alcohol withdrawal can be challenging. You deserve care and support. The effective treatment you need is just a phone call away.
Reach out to the Mandala Healing Center team now to learn about our holistic treatment programs. You may also ask questions or schedule an intake assessment.