How to Get Rid of a Hangover

In this article, we'll provide you with a straightforward guide to understanding and managing a hangover. We’ll explain what a hangover is, what triggers it, and the common symptoms you might experience. You’ll learn how long a hangover typically lasts and explore various methods to ease the discomfort, from tried-and-tested remedies to preventative measures. Whether you're dealing with a hangover now or simply want to be prepared, this guide will offer you the essential information to help you recover as quickly as possible.

Key Takeaways

Here are the 5 biggest takeaways from this article about getting over a hangover:

• A hangover is caused by excessive alcohol consumption, leading to symptoms like dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and changes in blood sugar levels.

• There are several ways to alleviate hangover symptoms, such as staying hydrated, eating carbohydrates, avoiding darker drinks, and taking specific supplements like Vitamin B and zinc.

• To prevent hangovers, it’s essential to drink slowly, consume alcohol in moderation and stay hydrated by drinking water between alcoholic beverages.

• Common hangover myths are false, such as the belief that caffeine can cure a hangover or that you sleep better when drunk.

• Alcohol poisoning is a severe and potentially fatal consequence of binge drinking, highlighting the importance of understanding the risks of excessive alcohol consumption.

What is a hangover and what causes it?

A hangover refers to a collection of symptoms that occur after you have consumed excessive amounts of alcohol according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The symptoms of a hangover are primarily caused by the body's reaction to alcohol, which can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, gastrointestinal irritation and changes in blood sugar levels, as well as other, less common effects.

What are the symptoms of a hangover?

The symptoms of a hangover typically include fatigue, weakness, and thirst. Many people also experience headaches, muscle aches, nausea, and stomach pain. Other common symptoms are vertigo, sensitivity to light and sound, anxiety, irritability, sweating, and increased blood pressure according to the alcohol awareness charity drinkaware.

How long does a hangover last?

Hangover symptoms generally peak when blood alcohol concentration returns to about zero. The symptoms of a hangover can persist for 24 hours or longer, depending on factors such as the amount of alcohol consumed, individual tolerance and overall health (Sullivan & Lovering, 2023).

7 Simple Remedies For Curing A Hangover

Here are seven simple remedies that may help alleviate a hangover according to Harvard:

Drink Plenty of Fluids: 

Rehydrating with water or sports drinks can help replace the fluids and electrolytes lost due to alcohol consumption.

Eat Carbohydrates: 

Consuming foods rich in carbohydrates can help stabilise blood sugar levels, easing symptoms like fatigue and nausea.

Avoid Darker-Coloured Alcoholic Beverages: 

Darker drinks like red wine or whisky contain congeners, which are chemicals that can worsen hangover symptoms. Sticking to lighter-coloured drinks may reduce the severity of your hangover.

Take Pain Relief (Avoid Paracetamol): 

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin can help with headaches and muscle aches. However, avoid paracetamol as it can stress the liver when combined with alcohol.

Drink Tea or Coffee: 

A cup of tea or coffee might help reduce fatigue and improve alertness, although it’s important to drink these in moderation as they can be dehydrating.

Take Vitamin B and Zinc: 

Some studies suggest that vitamin B and zinc supplements can help reduce the severity of a hangover by supporting the body's recovery process.

‘Hair of the Dog’: 

Although not a long-term solution, some people find that drinking a small amount of alcohol the next day can temporarily ease hangover symptoms. However, this is not recommended as it may prolong the hangover.

How to prevent hangovers?

To prevent hangovers, there are a number of things that you can do. Consider following these tips from the NHS the next time you feel the need to prevent a hangover:

Drink Slowly and on a Full Stomach: 

Eating before and while drinking can slow the absorption of alcohol, reducing its impact on your body and helping to prevent a hangover.

Drink in Moderation: 

Limiting your alcohol intake is key. It’s recommended that women have no more than one drink per day, and men no more than two. One drink is typically defined as 12 fluid ounces (360 millilitres) of beer, 5 fluid ounces (150 millilitres) of wine, or 1.5 fluid ounces (45 millilitres) of spirits.

Stay Hydrated: 

Drinking a glass of water between alcoholic drinks can help you consume less alcohol and reduce dehydration, which is a major cause of hangover symptoms.

Is mixing different types of alcohol bad?

Mixing different types of alcohol isn’t inherently bad, but it can lead to consuming more alcohol overall, especially with cocktails. When you combine multiple spirits in a single drink, you might end up drinking more alcohol than intended, which increases the likelihood of a hangover. Worsened headache symptoms are often associated with mixing drinks due to the higher total alcohol intake rather than the mix itself (Hammond, 2014).

Knowing your alcohol units is key

Understanding alcohol units can be crucial for managing your intake and avoiding excessive drinking. For example, a 750ml bottle of red, white, or rosé wine with an ABV of 13.5% contains 10 units, but what does that mean? Charity DrinkAware says men and women are advised against drinking 14 units or more a week on a regular basis. Here’s a breakdown of the units in some common drinks according to the NHS:

• Single small shot of spirits (25ml, ABV 40%): 1 unit

• Alcopop (275ml, ABV 5.5%): 1.5 units

• Small glass of wine (125ml, ABV 12%): 1.5 units

• Bottle of lager, beer, or cider (330ml, ABV 5%): 1.7 units

• Can of lager, beer, or cider (440ml, ABV 5.5%): 2 units

• Pint of lower-strength lager, beer, or cider (568ml, ABV 3.6%): 2 units

• Standard glass of wine (175ml, ABV 12%): 2.1 units

• Pint of higher-strength lager, beer, or cider (568ml, ABV 5.2%): 3 units

• Large glass of wine (250ml, ABV 12%): 3 units

• Single large measure of spirits (35ml, ABV 40%): 1.4 units

Common hangover myths busted

As is the way with topics that affect a broad number of people a number of common myths have sprouted around the topic of hangovers. Here are some of the most common, as well as whether there is any truth to them according to Healthline and Drink Aware:

You Sleep Better When You’re Drunk: 

While alcohol might help you fall asleep faster, it disrupts your sleep cycle, leading to a poorer quality sleep. You may wake up feeling groggy and unrested, which can worsen hangover symptoms.

Caffeine Can Cure a Hangover:

Caffeine might temporarily increase alertness, but it won’t cure a hangover. In fact, it can worsen dehydration, potentially making your hangover feel worse.

You’re Safe to Drive Once You’re Sober: 

Even if you feel sober, alcohol can impair your coordination and judgement for several hours after your blood alcohol level returns to zero. It's best to avoid driving until you're sure your body has fully recovered.

You Don’t Have a Problem: 

Regularly experiencing hangovers or drinking to the point of hangover could be a sign of unhealthy drinking habits. If you find yourself frequently in this situation, it may be worth reflecting on your relationship with alcohol.

What is alcohol poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period, commonly known as binge drinking according to the NHS. It occurs when the body becomes overwhelmed by alcohol, leading to dangerous levels of intoxication. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include convulsions, vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness, slow or irregular breathing, a pale complexion and low body temperature. If left untreated, alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening meaning immediate medical attention is essential.

Sources

Alcohol poisoning - NHS

Hangover - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Hangovers – causes, symptoms and prevention | Drinkaware

7 steps to cure your hangover - Harvard Health