If you’ve been drinking, you may know that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is over the legal limit and that it would be dangerous to drive. You also know that doing so would create the potential for a drunk driving arrest. Most drivers can be cited for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas if their BAC reaches 0.08% or above – although DWI charges can be levied against those who are under the legal limit, if they are impaired.
What you’re looking for, then, is a way to sober up quickly so that you can drive. Should you eat a meal, or maybe drink a cup of coffee? Would it be enough just to have a couple of glasses of water at the bar? What can you do to quickly sober up before you drive?
Only time can help
Unfortunately, only time can help you become more sober than you are at any given moment. You can’t speed this process up by eating food, drinking coffee, drinking water, taking a cold shower or any of the other tricks that people sometimes talk about.
The reality is that your body breaks down alcohol at a set rate of about 0.015% per hour. All of the “tricks” listed above might make you feel more alert and awake. But they do not change that rate in the least. If it was going to take you five hours to get sober before, it’s still going to take five hours after you’ve eaten or showered. Your body simply needs time. Getting sober just isn’t something that you can do quickly, so you must plan in advance.
Are you facing charges?
As you can see, you may think you’re sober when you don’t realize just how long it will take your BAC to decline. This can lead to a situation in which you thought you could drive safely, but you were really over the legal limit. If you’re facing charges, consider seeking legal guidance so that you know about all of your options.