How to Lessen the Effects of Alcohol

Co-authored by Tiffany Douglass, MA

Last Updated: June 15, 2024 References

Are you trying to reduce the effects of alcohol before you go out, or have you already consumed your weight in Budweiser and brandy? Do you wish to skip that terrible hangover the next day that makes you wish you'd slip into a booze-soaked coma to avoid the pounding in your head? Or are you simply worried about beer breath? As with many things in life, the key to lessening the effects of alcohol are preparation and moderation. Simply put: drink responsibly.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Drinking Cautiously

Download Article

1
Eat first. When you consume alcohol, it sits in your stomach while it waits to be processed. If you don't have food in there, the alcohol will process faster and at one time. If you have food in your belly, the alcohol will enter your system more slowly and at a varied pace thus lessening the effects of alcohol immediately.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- This is especially important if you know you will be drinking for a sustained period, like a bar crawl.
For the same reason that you want food in your stomach, drinking slowly will allow your body to process the alcohol over a period of time. Whereas, if you inundate your body with alcohol, it will be more difficult to process.

Advertisement
3
Choose your beverages carefully. Choose alcohols with fewer congeners (substances that are also produced during the fermentation process), which are less likely to cause a hangover. Light-colored beers and white wine have fewer congeners than darker beers and harder liquors. Stay away from brandy, whisky, and red wine.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Cheap boozes tend to give you a worse hangover. Your body expends more energy to process impurities left in the alcohol.
- Clearer alcohols like vodka, gin, and white rum are good options.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Hydrating Your Body

Download Article

1
Drink plenty of water. Drink water throughout the day before you start drinking alcohol and drink water in between alcoholic beverages. As one of the key causes of a hangover is dehydration, the more you do to combat it beforehand the better. If you have a hangover, be sure to drink plenty of water as well.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Drink a pint of water before you go to sleep at night. Since your body continues to process water while you sleep — albeit less water — you will still wake up more dehydrated than when you go to bed. Since hangovers operate on dehydration, you can help lessen the effects of alcohol by drinking more water.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- Try to leave a glass of water by your bed so you can drink it when you wake up.
2
Drink sports drinks. In addition to water, these isotonic sports drinks can quickly replenish the fluids in your body, while adding carbohydrates needed for energy and electrolytes to your system.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Sports drinks can be good to ease an upset stomach, too. Pick a flavor that tastes good and won't make you further nauseous.
Vitamin C, specifically, helps replenish energy, which is vital when the lethargic power of a hangover kicks in. The fructose found in many types of juices will help replenish sugars in your body depleted in order to process the alcohol you've consumed.^{[6]
X
Research source} Tomato juice and coconut water are also great options.
Since alcohol is a depressant and makes people sleepy, it seems like the common cure-all would be coffee. Yet, coffee will further dehydrate you. If you have an upset stomach too, coffee may further irritate it. Stick to water. Rest is better than coffee.^{[7]
X
Research source}
Chinese researchers tested the effects of 57 drinks and found that Sprite was the most effective at combatting hangover effects. The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase is released by your liver when you consume alcohol. The longer this enzyme is in your system directly relates to the length of your hangover. Get rid of it quickly if you want a shorter hangover. These researchers found that Sprite flushed the human system of alcohol dehydrogenase faster than any other beverage. Herbal tea actually prolonged the presence of this enzyme.^{[8]
X
Research source}
Stay away from "the hair of the dog that bit you." While many people will tell you to just drink a little more of what you drank the night before to get over a hangover, don't listen to them. All you'll be doing is prolonging the effects of the alcohol. It may numb your symptoms in the short-term, it'll probably worsen the hangover in the long term.^{[9]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Eating to Combat the Effects of Alcohol

Download Article

1
Eat some eggs. Eggs are an essential foodstuff for any hangover cure repertoire. They contain an amino acid called cysteine, which soaks up the toxins introduced to your body by alcohol. Eat a few egg whites and soon enough you'll begin feeling back to normal.
- Fry or scramble them; it doesn't matter how you prepare your eggs, as long as they are cooked. An urban myth says to drink a couple raw eggs after a night out on the town. The slimy factor mixed with the ever-present danger of salmonella make this myth simply that — a myth.
Your first inclination may be to eat a heavy, greasy cheeseburger. Don't do it. Eat something light like crackers or toast. Both contain sodium— something your body needs to work properly and something that alcohol consumption tends to reduce. ^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
Since you urinate more when you drink heavily, your body is losing its precious potassium. Lower potassium levels lead to lethargy, nausea, and weakness. Bananas and kiwis are great sources of potassium. Baked potatoes, leafy greens, apricots, and mushrooms are also loaded with potassium. Consider chasing that last drink with a banana to lessen the effects of alcohol.^{[11]
X
Research source}
Bouillon, chicken noodle, and miso soups are great soup options for a number of reasons. They all contain many nutrients your body needs to overcome a hangover and the nauseating effects of alcohol. Sodium, cysteine, and the rehydrating power of water and broth will help you immensely.^{[12]
X
Research source}

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Relaxing to Lessen Alcoholic Effects

Download Article

Hangovers are best eliminated with time. Since alcohol makes you feel sleepy, you might reach for the caffeinated beverage. This won't work for you. Your body needs time to recuperate. Take a nap. This is the best way to get rid of that headache and to get your better judgement back.^{[13]
X
Research source}
2
Take a shower. A warm shower will raise your core temperature. A warmer temperature will prepare your body for sleep, which will in turn allow you to bypass the horrendous headache of the dreaded hangover.
- If you need to stay alert while drunk, a cold shower can help wake you up and keep your at the ready.^{[14]
  X
  Research source}
A great way to get your alcohol's effects under control is to go for a walk. Walking speeds up your metabolism, processing what's in your stomach faster. So going for a short stroll may help reduce the duration of your alcohol's effects. Obviously, alcohol impairs your ability to walk, so make sure you go for your jaunt in a safe space — away from cars and stairs (the two greatest dangers to the drunk).^{[15]
X
Research source}

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Medicating Appropriately

Download Article

1
Take Ibuprofen, naproxen, and other prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). These medications can help numb that pounding headache. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Do not take more unless prescribed by a doctor.
- Do not take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Acetaminophen will tax your liver further, leading to mild and even severe swelling.^{[16]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Johns Hopkins Medicine
  Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital
  
  Go to source}
B6 will help revitalize your body.^{[17]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} B6 increases cognitive function as well as reducing nausea and vomiting. You can purchase B6 from most pharmacies or vitamin supplement stores.^{[18]
X
Research source}
Stomach pains and nausea are common effects of alcohol. Antacid pills will help regulate the acidity levels in your stomach. If you feel sick, pop an antacid. Sodium alginate and potassium bicarbonate based antacids, available over the counter, can help a lot. Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle. Do not take more than is recommended by your doctor.^{[19]
X
Trustworthy Source

National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK

Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What should I do if I'm addicted to drinking and I'm in college?

Tiffany Douglass, MA
Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center
Tiffany Douglass is the Founder of Wellness Retreat Recovery Center, a JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) accredited drug and alcohol treatment program based in San Jose, California. She is also the Executive Director for Midland Tennessee at JourneyPure. She has over ten years of experience in substance abuse treatment and was appointed a Global Goodwill Ambassador in 2019 for her efforts in residential addiction treatment. Tiffany earned a BA in Psychology from Emory University in 2004 and an MA in Psychology with an emphasis on Organization Behavior and Program Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University in 2006.

Tiffany Douglass, MA

Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center

Expert Answer

Talk to the Office of Mental Health Services at your college. They'll be able to provide tools and resources that can help you stop drinking. You can also talk to someone at your college about taking a semester off or moving into a sober dorm.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 3
Question

When should I be concerned about drinking?

Tiffany Douglass, MA
Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center
Tiffany Douglass is the Founder of Wellness Retreat Recovery Center, a JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) accredited drug and alcohol treatment program based in San Jose, California. She is also the Executive Director for Midland Tennessee at JourneyPure. She has over ten years of experience in substance abuse treatment and was appointed a Global Goodwill Ambassador in 2019 for her efforts in residential addiction treatment. Tiffany earned a BA in Psychology from Emory University in 2004 and an MA in Psychology with an emphasis on Organization Behavior and Program Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University in 2006.

Tiffany Douglass, MA

Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center

Expert Answer

If you're worried you may be drinking too much, try talking to someone. It might be a supportive friend or family member or a therapist. A therapist is a great option because they can help you get perspective on your drinking and learn other ways to cope. Additionally, you might attend a support group, like alcoholics anonymous, if you're worried you drink too much.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
Question

What should I take to lessen the long-term damage to my liver?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

Some people say that Milk Thistle helps to detoxify the liver when taken at low doses.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 26

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Consider attending a social support group like Alcoholics Anonymous if you're worried you have a drinking problem. Connecting with people who understand what you're going through is a good way to get the support you need.^{[20]
X
Expert Source

Tiffany Douglass, MA
Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist

Expert Interview. 10 March 2020.}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Talking to a therapist can be a good way to get some perspective and learn about helpful coping skills if you're struggling with your drinking.^{[21]
X
Expert Source

Tiffany Douglass, MA
Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist

Expert Interview. 10 March 2020.}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Don't be afraid to talk to a supportive family member or loved one about your drinking if you're concerned. Having a support system is really important to a successful recovery.^{[22]
X
Expert Source

Tiffany Douglass, MA
Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist

Expert Interview. 10 March 2020.}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Even if you lessen the effects of alcohol, driving with alcohol in your body is dangerous. Do not try to drive in this condition.

Thanks
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
If you have extreme nausea or vomiting or end up passing out from too much alcohol, you may need to go the ER to get an IV and resuscitation.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0