Final answer:
To become sober, an intoxicated person must simply wait for their body to metabolize the alcohol, as only time can reduce BAC. Drinking water and sleeping can alleviate discomfort, but they do not quicken the metabolism process. No medication can sober an individual up; the liver processes alcohol at a constant rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
To make an intoxicated person more sober, it is important to understand that only time can reduce the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in their system. The liver metabolizes alcohol at a constant rate, and it takes about one hour to process the alcohol from a standard drink. There is no quick fix to sobering up, so waiting for the effects to wear off is the most effective approach.
While drinking water and sleep do not directly speed up the metabolism of alcohol, they can help alleviate symptoms of dehydration and allow the body to rest, which can be beneficial. Sleep helps pass the time and offers the body an opportunity to recover. However, it does not increase the rate at which alcohol is processed. There is no medication that can make someone sober; the body must metabolize the alcohol on its own.
Given the fixed rate at which alcohol is metabolized, it is crucial that care is taken when consuming alcohol to avoid dangerous levels of intoxication that can lead to health complications such as respiratory depression, coma, or even death for extreme doses. The legal limit for intoxication typically falls at a BAC of 0.08, beyond which driving is considered illegal due to the substantial impairment of motor skills and judgment.