Does Peeing Help You Sober Up?
When you consume too much alcohol, you may need to urinate more than usual. This, in turn, triggers excessive thirst, which makes you drink more and pee more. However, peeing will not help you sober up.
Peeing is your body’s natural way of eliminating toxins. Hydrating, resting, and avoiding more alcohol, assists your body in processing toxins and can help you to feel sober quicker.
Connect with an expert at Zinnia Health to learn practical tips on how to get sober. We’ll work together to identify triggers, pinpoint troubling trends, and develop tools to help you cope. Give us a call at (855) 430-9439 to speak with one of our experts today.
Why Doesn’t Peeing Help You Eliminate Alcohol?
Toxins are naturally eliminated through urination and defecation. It takes time for your body to break down alcohol and release these toxins. Depending on your blood alcohol level, this could take several hours or days to complete. However, peeing will not speed up this process, so it won’t help you sober up.
Peeing to Beat a Urine Alcohol Test
You might have heard drinking lots of water helps you beat a drug or alcohol urine test. Excessive water dilutes urine but doesn’t speed up the liver’s job of metabolizing alcohol.
Drinking lots of water can help flush alcohol already processed and make your urine harder to test. However, there is no fool-proof way to beat an alcohol sobriety test by diluting your urine.
How Does Peeing Remove Alcohol From the Body?
In most cases, the liver processes alcohol. However, the elimination of alcohol depends on multiple factors. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the amount of alcohol you ingest and the time in which you ingest it are factors in how your liver metabolizes alcohol.
Normally, your liver converts alcohol into a substance called acetaldehyde. This toxic substance is broken down further by enzymes in the liver, converting it to acetate. Acetate leaves the body through exhalation and urination. When you drink too much alcohol, it takes longer for the liver to process it.
Drugs, on the other hand, have different elimination processes. Marijuana, for example, contains THC that remains in the body for several weeks. Increasing urination will not help to alleviate a marijuana high.
What Are a Few Ways to Sober Up?
Nausea, vomiting, headaches, and lightheadedness are all unwanted side effects of drinking and using illegal substances. While peeing will not help you feel any better, other methods can help you sober up.
Drink a Glass of Water
Drinking water will replenish fluids lost during urination. It won’t eliminate alcohol’s effects but can stave off dehydration.
The effects of alcohol are extremely drying to the body, which can trigger mild dehydration. Dehydration can worsen if you’ve recently vomited or had diarrhea from drinking or using drugs.
Untreated dehydration leads to tremors, confusion, and loss of balance. If these are not treated right away, they could be life-threatening.
According to Medline Plus, staying hydrated is one way to eliminate the risk of severe dehydration.
Sleep it Off
A good night’s sleep allows your digestive system to get to work. Sleeping off your hangover allows your body to perform crucial processes like eliminating excess alcohol. Resting can also help with side effects such as lightheadedness and nausea.
Giving yourself time to rest can help you feel alert but won’t get you sober instantly.
Stop Drinking Alcoholic Beverages
The most crucial part of getting sober is to refrain from using drugs or alcohol. Excessive drinking can lead to irreversible damage to your health. This includes an eroded stomach lining and liver damage.
The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that chronic alcohol use and excessive drinking can lead to liver damage, heart problems, and mental health issues. It can also lead to changes in the brain, worsening addiction.
There are many common myths about sobering up. Taking a cold shower, drinking caffeine, taking ibuprofen, and snacking will not sober you up. However, eating a small meal and drinking water can help with nausea if you’re hungover.
Are you or a loved one struggling with alcohol addiction?
Even if you’ve tried to quit drinking but relapsed, Zinnia Health can help. Recognizing you have a problem is the first step toward recovery– let us help you the rest of the way. Call us at (855) 430-9439 to get started.
What Happens if I Don’t Get Sober?
It takes time for your body to eliminate excess drugs or alcohol and this process takes longer if you’ve consumed alcohol on an empty stomach. The best thing to do during this time is to stay hydrated and rest. Resting for a few hours allows the blood alcohol concentration (bac) to come down uninhibited.
When you drink alcohol, you’re not always aware of the risks you take. Alcohol addiction can increase the risk of drunk driving and self-harm. It could also cost you your job, family, and close friends.
The most significant risk of not getting sober is developing withdrawal syndrome. The longer you drink or use drugs, the more your body becomes dependent on them.
Symptoms of withdrawal begin as soon as 12 hours after quitting. Drinking a light beer or a few sips will not result in withdrawal. However, the higher the alcohol content, the more you’re at risk.
Symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Goosebumps
- Sweating
- Yawning
- Sinus drainage
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Agitation
Although these symptoms are uncomfortable, Medline Plus says they’re not life-threatening.
How to Get Help With Alcohol Addiction
If you previously tried to quit on your own but relapsed, it may help to talk to a professional about your struggles with addiction. Substance counselors can help you identify your addiction’s causes and provide tools to counteract triggers.
Drug rehab is another excellent option for those who are struggling with addiction.
Rehabilitation centers like Zinnia Health offer a comprehensive approach to alcohol abuse and addiction. We provide evidence-based programs such as cognitive behavioral therapy, 12-step, and mindfulness practices to help you recover successfully. Our programs are offered on an inpatient and outpatient basis.
If you’re struggling to achieve sobriety, call Zinnia Health at (855) 430-9439. Our operators are available 24/7 to answer any questions you have about getting sober and staying sober. Our nationwide facilities provide cutting-edge therapies and holistic care to treat the addiction and the whole person. If you’re ready to begin a new life free from addiction, we’ll walk alongside you every step of the way.