No, a cup of coffee cannot sober you up. If you spent the night out drinking with friends and you want to sober up before getting behind the wheel, people may tell you to drink coffee as a way to lower your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). But this is a common myth, and it does not actually work.
When it comes to lowering your BAC, the main thing that matters is time. You simply have to wait and allow your body to metabolize the alcohol. Over time, your BAC will gradually return to a safe level.
But you cannot significantly speed up that process. Coffee does not make you sober up faster than drinking water. Taking a shower or eating a meal also does not rapidly reduce your BAC. Your body just needs more time to process the alcohol.
Why does this myth get repeated?
There are certainly people who have believed the myth that coffee can sober them up and then found themselves facing impaired driving charges when it did not work.
One reason the myth persists is that many people who have had too much to drink also feel tired, groggy or fatigued. Drinking coffee can help them feel more awake and alert. They may mistake this feeling for sobriety, even though their BAC has not actually dropped in a meaningful way.
Impaired driving defense options
An impaired driving charge can have a major impact on your future. If you find yourself in this position, it is important to understand what defense options may be available to you and what legal steps you should take moving forward.