Drunk driving is illegal, and you’re well aware of that. You want to get sober before you get in the car. But you’ve already been drinking with your friends, and it’s time to head home, so what do you do?
Many people will turn to a variety of tactics to try to get sober quickly. Some will have a cup of water at the end of the night and think that’s good enough. Others may go get a cup of coffee, claiming that the caffeine can help to sober them up more than water. Those who are at home may consider taking a cold shower or something of this nature.
But the truth is that none of these things make you any soberer than you were before. The caffeine doesn’t make you sober. It just wakes you up. The same is true with a cold shower. Eating or drinking doesn’t dilute the blood alcohol concentration that your body has already reached. That alcohol is in your system, not just in your stomach, so there’s only one way to become more sober.
It just takes time
Unfortunately, the only way to become sober is to take time and let your body metabolize the alcohol. As it breaks down, your blood alcohol concentration level will fall, and you will slowly become more sober as that alcohol wears off. This can take hours since your blood alcohol concentration usually only falls by about 0.015% for every hour that you go without drinking. But it’s the only option you have if you actually want to be sober when you get in the car.
Are you facing charges?
If you tried to use one of the myths listed above and now you’re facing charges for drunk driving, be sure you understand your criminal defense options.