Final answer:
Drinking coffee cannot make a person sober, as only time allows the liver to metabolize alcohol fully. Caffeine, found in coffee, is a psychoactive drug that can stimulate the central nervous system but does not accelerate the breakdown of alcohol in the system. Consuming caffeine in moderation is generally safe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addressed is whether drinking coffee is a way to help a person become sober. While caffeine, the psychoactive substance in coffee, can have stimulating effects on the central nervous system, making one more alert and improving concentration, it does not accelerate the metabolism of alcohol. It's a common misconception that coffee consumption can help with sobriety; however, sobriety can only be achieved by giving the liver enough time to metabolize the alcohol present in the body. Drinking coffee or taking a shower will not expedite this process. The legal limit for alcohol intoxication is a BAC of 0.08, and it takes at least five hours for a legally intoxicated individual to return to sobriety post-alcohol consumption.
Caffeine itself is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance, and while it is generally safe in 'normal' quantities and can make a cup of coffee appear as a work of art, high levels can induce negative health effects. Therefore, it is important to understand caffeine's effects on the body and ensure it is consumed in moderation, as with all substances that affect our mental state.