The alcohol elimination rate is different for everyone. However, an average liver can process approximately 1 unit of alcohol per hour. This means that drinking 12 units will take approximately 12 hours to fully sober up. People who start drinking never do so in the hope of developing an alcohol use disorder.
How long you need to sober up generally depends on the amount of alcohol you consume. The body can generally metabolize ½ to 1 standard drink per hour. Drinking 1 bottle of regular beer in an hour means that you can expect alcohol to leave your body within 1 to 2 hours. Contrary to popular belief, only time will bring you back your sobriety.
After a night of heavy drinking, it can take more than 18 hours for the body to fully sober up. At the same time, it is essential to recognize that, although a person can improve their alertness and awareness, they should not drive or make important decisions until the alcohol has completely disappeared from their body. Depending on the amount of alcohol a person consumes, it can take several hours for alcohol to be metabolized outside the body.
