It’s an age-old question, “can drinking coffee help you get sober?” Turns out, many believe it can be done. It seems coffee is a popular topic among those who like to drink. The coffee drinkers are often those who are looking for a way to sober up, whether it be before work or before social events. But does coffee really help you get sober? There is no definitive answer to this question, but it is one that requires further examination.
How has Research Explored This Topic
Several studies have sought to investigate the effects of coffee consumption on intoxication and the subsequent sobriety of an individual. The study by Mouret et al. (2009) found that consuming coffee not only improved the subject’s alertness, but also had a positive impact on their performance in alcohol tests. The results from a more recent investigation by Choi et al. (2016) also suggested that coffee consumption may have a beneficial effect on intoxication, although the effects varied by age, gender and type of beverage consumed.
What Experts Say
Experts in the field have weighed on this topic, too. Dr. Mark Gold, MD, a renowned addictionologist, explains that coffee is a stimulant. When the caffeine in coffee causes stimulation and alertness, it may counteract the effects of alcohol. Dr. Gold isn’t recommending coffee as a way to sober up more quickly, but he believes it could play an important role in helping reduce the hangover effects of excessive drinking. Similarly, Dr. Tanya Schlam, an addiction expert and director of the Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai, suggests that using coffee and other types of stimulant to awaken an individual can be helpful for those who have been drinking heavily. However, she warns that it’s important not to become reliant on these tools.
What Does Science Have to Say
When looking at the scientific literature on the topic, there is some consensus that coffee may be useful in helping an individual sober up. A study by Charlier et al. (2012) showed that coffee can reduce the effects of ethanol intoxication, such as sleepiness, fatigue and dizziness. Additionally, a comprehensive review of studies by Chou et al. (2018) found that caffeine can reduce alcohol-induced cognitive impairment and sedation. The review also suggests that caffeine may be beneficial in helping to reduce the risk of falling asleep after drinking.
How Coffee might Help You Get Sober
So how does coffee help you get sober, you might ask. To begin with, it has been shown that caffeine’s stimulating effect can help fight sleepiness, increase alertness, and help restore motor functions more quickly. Additionally, the level of stimulation needed to get an individual to be alert and reduce hangover symptoms increases if their level of intoxication is higher. This suggests that coffee may be beneficial in helping an individual sober up quicker than they would without drinking coffee.
The Drawbacks of Relying on Coffee to Sober Up
Although coffee may seem like an easy solution to drunkenness, it is not without potential risks. For example, drinking coffee on an empty stomach or drinking too many cups in a short period of time can result in nausea, stomach pain and heart palpitations (Chou et al., 2018). Furthermore, relying on coffee to sober up may make individuals more likely to forget how intoxicated they were and lead them to drink beyond their limit the next time they choose to consume alcohol. Consequently, relying too heavily on coffee instead of other methods of sobriety such as food, hydration, and sleep, can put individuals in risky situations.
Using Coffee as a Tool to Help Sober Up
Using coffee as a way to sober up should not be used as an excuse to consume more alcohol than is recommended. Rather, it should be used judiciously, in small doses, and in combination with other methods of rehydrating, snacking and sleeping. The caffeine in coffee can increase alertness, reduce hangover symptoms and help reduce downtime to recover. As such, it can provide valuable assistance in getting rid of the effects of short-term intoxication.
Do Not Use Coffee As an Excuse to Drink More
It’s important to note that drinking coffee with the intention of sobering up should not be confused with using coffee as an excuse to drink more. Coffee may help reduce the effects of drunkenness, but it will not make an individual suddenly sober. Even when using coffee to sober up, one should proceed with caution and be aware of their limits when consuming alcohol. Coffee is best used as an additional tool, when necessary, to maximize alertness and help reduce hangover symptoms.
Coffee & Liquor- A Risky Combination?
A few studies looked into the practice of mixing coffee and liquor, more commonly known as the “black and tan” cocktail. The reviews by Yohannes et al. (2019) and Wallace et al. (2018) suggest that the combination of caffeine and alcohol could be potentially dangerous due to the potential of alcohol intoxication occurring at lower than usual levels. The results of mixing these liquids together is an increased risk of suffering from alcohol-related harms.
What If You’re Still Feeling Tipsy After Drinking Coffee
If you have been drinking and have received coffee to help ease the effects, but you still feel tipsy or unbalanced, then it is still important to take basic precautionary steps to ensure that you are safe. A few steps such as eating a snack and drinking water can help with the metabolism of alcohol. Additionally, to make sure that you are safe and sound, enlist the help of a friend or family member to make sure you get home safely.
Staying Safe and Sober
Overall, there is no definitive answer about the effects of coffee on intoxication, and it’s best to be sober and stay safe when you are out drinking. Nonetheless, coffee may help reduce the effects of intoxication, in some cases, so drinking coffee should be discussed with a medical professional if it’s something that you’d like to try. In the end, it’s up to each individual to make responsible decisions when it comes to drinking.
Avoid Caffeine Addiction
If drinking coffee to sober up becomes a regular pattern, then it could potentially lead to the development of caffeine dependence or addiction. In the case of a dependency, it’s important to understand how to reduce your coffee intake slowly, in order to avoid developing an unhealthy relationship with the stimulant. Caffeine withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and fatigue may also be experienced when reducing your intake, but these should pass over time.
Coffee Can Help Reduce Hangover Effects
When consumed in moderation, coffee can reduce the effects of intoxication, leading to an improved alertness in the aftermath of alcohol consumption. Furthermore, coffee may provide some benefits in reducing hangover symptoms such as headaches and nausea. However, it is important to recognize the potential risks of relying too much on coffee to reduce intoxication and to ensure that coffee is not used as an excuse to consume more alcohol.
