How Long Does It Take to Get Sober?

The idea of getting sober is contextual; it means different things to different people and can vary depending on the situation. For some, getting sober might mean physically detoxing or “sobering up” from a night of drinking or drug use. For others, it might mean abstaining from substances long-term. This distinction is particularly important when you’re talking about timelines. The time it takes to get sober or live sober is significantly longer than the time it takes to sober up from recent substance use.

Why is this the case? Simply put, substance addiction (formally known as a substance use disorder) is marked by lasting changes in the brain that take time—and commitment—to reconcile. When a person repeatedly uses drugs or alcohol, for long periods of time, their brain and body become dependent on those substances to function and feel good. Healing from addiction requires more than just detox; it requires re-wiring the brain, re-learning healthy habits, and establishing skills that will prevent a future relapse. This can take months or years, depending on the circumstance.

On the other hand, sobering up after a few drinks, or waiting for the effects of a drug to wear off, can happen in a matter of hours. The exact time it takes to sober up depends on several factors, like a person’s weight or whether they ate dinner, but it usually can be done within a 24-hour period. Full physical detox from drugs or alcohol, however, can take between days and weeks.

Let’s explore these topics in depth, along with their different variables, to see how long it typically takes to get sober or stay sober, depending on your goal.

How Long Does It Take to Sober Up from Drugs or Alcohol?

Sobering up in the short-term—or waiting for the immediate effects of drugs/alcohol to wear off—usually happens within a few hours. Of course, this varies widely depending on the substance used.

Alcohol, for example, can be processed by the body within an hour. Research shows that, on average, the body can process about one standard drink of alcohol (e.g. one 12oz beer or one 5oz wine) per hour. This means that consuming four drinks will take the body roughly four hours to sober up and get past the immediate, physical effects. It is not possible to speed this time up, it happens naturally in the body.

However, the exact time it takes to sober up from alcohol will depend on factors like:

A person’s body weight and metabolism
Biological sex (women’s bodies can take longer to break down alcohol)
Whether a person has eaten recently and is hydrated
Other substances/medications being taken
Overall health, including chronic conditions and liver health

Sobering up from other types of drugs – such as marijuana, cocaine, and painkillers – will also vary significantly depending on the substance of choice. In general, the effects of illicit substance abuse last longer than alcohol.

The effects of marijuana can take between two and 10 hours to wear off, depending on how much was used and how it was consumed.
The effects of cocaine are typically quick, lasting up to one hour (but usually less). Again, this depends on how much was used and how it was consumed. The comedown typically lasts for several hours.
Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, has effects that can last between 8 and 24 hours, with large doses of the drug causing longer-term effects.
MDMA drugs, like molly and ecstasy, produce a high that lasts between four to six hours, depending on the individual and their dose.
Painkillers like OxyContin and Percocet have effects that last four to six hours, as well, but certain extended-release forms can produce longer-lasting pain relief.

For many of the above drugs, the comedown period – or the period between intoxication and sobriety – lasts longer than the initial “high.” The immediate effects dissipate quickly, while some withdrawal effects like fatigue, anxiety, and mood swings can last several days.

How Long Do Drugs and Alcohol Stay in Your System?

As previously suggested, the meaning of sober can vary significantly by individual. While “sobering up” usually implies recovering from the immediate effects of drugs or alcohol, some people wonder how long it takes for the body to clear these substances completely.

If you’re asking, “How long do drugs stay in your system?”, the answer is also variable. For example, a first-time user of marijuana might clear the drug much faster than a daily user. Additionally, certain drugs linger in the body longer than others, and certain tests (like urine or hair tests) will pick up on drugs long after they are used.

Typically, though, the time it takes to clear drugs from the body depends on factors like:

How often the drugs/alcohol are used (frequent or chronic users retain drugs in system longer)
How much of the drug is used (higher doses take longer to clear)
How strong the drug is (more potent drugs can linger in system)
Your metabolism (with slower metabolisms retaining the substance longer)
Your body composition and fat (as certain drugs are fat-soluble, lasting longer in body)

How Long Does It Take to Get Sober, Long-Term?

If you want to get sober and stay sober for the long-haul, the time commitment is significantly longer. Some will even tell you it’s lifelong. Of course, this depends on your definition of “getting sober”: Do you want to get sober for a year? Or do you want to stay sober for life?

In either case, a key step to getting sober is professional treatment. The length of treatment will vary by individual, and no path will look the same. Some people complete treatment in a few months, while others can take a year or longer to move through the process successfully. In general, though, experts recommend at least 90 days in treatment when recovering from a substance use disorder. However, longer stretches of treatment are associated with better treatment outcomes. At Turnbridge, we’ve found the most success happens after 270 days (approximately nine months) in residential treatment.

At Turnbridge’s treatment center, young adults and teens walk their own pace throughout treatment. They progress through the phases as they show readiness, which might include reduced cravings, improved thought and behavioral patterns, life skills development, and more.

Different treatment approaches will enact different stages, but the process typically involves:

Physical detoxification, in a medically supervised setting (taking one to two weeks)
Early adjustment (one to three months, as healing in the brain chemistry takes place)
Sustained recovery (six to twelve months, or longer, given the chronic and relapsing nature of addiction)
Long-term sobriety (a lifelong commitment that may require ongoing therapy and support)

If your goal is to abstain from drugs and alcohol for the foreseeable future, your sobriety timeline could be months, years, or lifelong. This is entirely up to you, your goals, and your openness to treatment. However, just remember that recovery from substance addiction is a marathon—not a sprint. You must listen to your body, commit to change, and work through the phases of recovery fully in order to manage your symptoms, heal, and build a sober life.

The good news is that recovery is possible.

As explained by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF), “Our brains have an incredible ability to adapt and repair – even after prolonged [alcohol and drug] use. The brain continues to build brain cells and neural pathways throughout our life, and its ability to adapt and change – called neuroplasticity – allows it to modify, grow and reorganise itself after addiction. But, it takes time for the brain to heal and repair.”

If you are interested in starting your journey towards sobriety, or are helping a loved one get sober, finding professional support is the first step. Reach out to Turnbridge to learn about our mental health and substance use treatment programs for young people by calling 877-581-1793 today.