Hangover Cure: Smart Ways to Feel Better Fast

If you’ve ever experienced the misery of a hangover, you’ve surely felt the desperation for a hangover cure. Hangover refers to a number of unpleasant symptoms which people experience, usually the morning after drinking too much alcohol.

Once a hangover hits, you wonder desperately how to get over a hangover quickly. This article will explain what causes hangover, how to get rid of a hangover fast at home, how to avoid hangover in the first place, and what to do if you experience hangovers often.

What causes hangovers?

A hangover is caused by drinking too much alcohol at once. Since every person reacts differently to alcohol, it’s impossible to predict how much alcohol will cause a hangover. The best way to figure out your level of alcohol tolerance is to go slow. Start with one cup and see how you feel the next day, and then very slowly increase the amount over time while gauging how you feel.

There are some general guidelines in place for safe drinking. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the guidelines are two drinks per day (or less) for men, and one drink per day (or less) for women. These parameters, however, are merely presented as ‘moderate drinking’ amounts which safeguard your body from harm. Drinking less can still cause a hangover for some, and drinking more won’t necessarily cause a hangover for others. Every person’s level of alcohol tolerance is unique.

Hangover self-care:

Once the hangover hits and you’re feeling awful, it’s important to practice good self-care. Do whatever sensible things you can to alleviate your physical symptoms. Rest up until you feel better. Stay hydrated and try to eat balanced meals. Don’t push yourself- doing so will only cause the symptoms to last longer.

Find out if you can miss a day- or even just a few hours- of work. If you have children who are dependent on you, try to outsource their care for a day, or even just for a little bit. Prioritize your self-care so you can get over the hangover as fast as possible. At the end of the day, remember that hangover normally passes within 24 hours.

How to cure a hangover:

The reality is that there is no magic pill or hangover cure remedies that can cure hangover completely. No method of how to get rid of a hangover is absolute- you can try to alleviate the symptoms as much as possible, and rest up to help it pass, but you can’t make it disappear immediately.

Many illnesses today have medical procedures that can cure or correct them. There are countless surgeries, medication, and the like that can help people suffering from physical pain find relief. However, hangovers are unique in that there are no instant cures and you just have to wait it out.

Hangover symptoms:

According to The Cleveland Clinic, here are the main symptoms people experience during a hangover:

Depression, anxiety, or irritability
Disturbed sleep
Dizziness or vertigo
Fatigue
Weakness
Headache and sensitivity to light and sound
Red eyes
Elevated blood pressure
Increased heartbeat
Muscle weakness and aches
Vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain
Heavy sweating
Dehydration and extreme thirst
Tremors and shaking

What helps with hangovers?

Since hangover symptoms cannot be made to disappear with the help of medication, the question really is: What can be done to help the hangover pass as quickly as possible?

Water- The #1 best hangover cure is drinking. Alcohol dehydrates the body by causing people to urinate more often than usual. Drinking plenty of fluids allows the body to replenish its water supply, helping the hangover to pass.
Carbs- Alcohol lowers the system’s blood sugar levels, which could cause tiredness, headaches, and dizziness. The best hangover headache cure would be to raise your blood sugar level by eating foods rich in carbs and natural sugars.
Sports Drinks - If you’re wondering how to cure hangover nausea and sickness, drinking Gatorade or Pedialyte can help since they are rich in electrolytes like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Electrolytes can help to restore the deficit of nutrients and fluids in your body.
Foods high in electrolytes - There are different foods you can eat that naturally contain electrolytes, in the absence of sports drinks. For example, bananas, avocados, potatoes, and milk are high in potassium; pumpkin seeds, spinach, tuna, and almonds contain natural magnesium; cheese, table salt, clams, and dill pickles are high in sodium; and yogurt, acorn squash, and tofu are rich in calcium.
B Vitamins - Alcohol diminishes the supply of B vitamins in the body, specifically B6 and B12. Salmon is a good example of a food that contains both B6 and B12, and it also has natural anti-inflammatory capabilities that can counteract the inflammation in the body due to an overconsumption of alcohol.

Hangover cure myths:

There are some myths about how to cure hangovers that have been debunked. The first is that drinking a cup of alcohol the next morning is the best way to alleviate the symptoms. This concept is known as ‘taking the hair of the dog that bit you.’ Although it may curb the unpleasant side effects, drinking the next morning perpetuates a cycle of more drinking, and can lead to an even worse hangover later on.

Another widely believed myth is that drinking coffee will make you feel better. Although it does help lessen fatigue, it doesn’t cure it at all. Some people believe in popping some medication before going to sleep, thinking that it will help them feel better in the morning. This also isn’t true, as most medications last for just 4-6 hours. Additionally, some medications can interact negatively with the alcohol and cause actual harm.

How to Prevent Being Hungover:

Here are some ideas to help you prevent hangover:

Be aware of how much alcohol your body can handle, and be careful not to exceed that amount in one sitting.
Eat well before you drink, so the food can help absorb the alcohol and prevent a hangover.
Drink water between drinks of alcohol to stay well- hydrated.
Pace yourself and your drinking. Even if you decide to exceed the recommended amount, pace yourself so you don’t drink more than one drink per hour.

Alcohol addiction treatment:

If you or a loved are struggling with alcohol addiction and are ready to find the help you need to start recovery, reach out today. At Avenues Recovery, we offer medical detox, one-on-one and group therapies, support groups, and a variety of healing modalities like yoga, and more.

We invite you to join us at one of our inpatient rehab centers where our professional staff will support you with empathy and experience, helping you find your path to recovery. It starts with one phone call and you can reclaim your life. Reach out today to start your journey to a life of sobriety, serenity, and freedom.