How Long Does It Really Take to Recover from a Hangover?

As the year-end festivities bring people together for drinks, one unwelcome companion often follows: the dreaded hangover. From stomach cramps and headaches to nausea, the symptoms can make you long for a quick recovery. But how long does it actually take for the body to recover after a night of drinking fully?

For light drinking, the body processes alcohol within two to three hours. However, excessive consumption can leave alcohol in the bloodstream for up to 12 hours. Even after it’s cleared from the blood, alcohol may continue affecting internal organs, taking additional time to detoxify the system fully.

Hangovers begin about 12 hours after drinking. As the body works to break down the alcohol—dopamine levels in the brain drop, causing mood declines. Alcohol also dehydrates the body, leading to common hangover symptoms like headaches and nausea.

The liver plays a crucial role in alcohol breakdown. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, broken down by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) into acetic acid and water. This process takes about 24 hours to eliminate toxicity.

Alcohol disrupts gut bacteria, reducing beneficial microbes and encouraging harmful ones. This imbalance can cause stomach discomfort and constipation, which may persist until all traces of alcohol are expelled.

Digestive issues from alcohol usually resolve within two days, but the body requires around three days to eliminate all acidic byproducts of drinking.

To aid recovery, drinking water with a slice of lemon or a pinch of salt helps replenish electrolytes and fluids lost through alcohol’s diuretic effects.

It’s recommended to avoid exercise for up to two days after drinking, beginning 12 hours after hangover symptoms appear. Exercising while hungover can place excessive strain on the heart and, in severe cases, may lead to irregular heartbeats.

It’s also best to steer clear of painkillers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The liver is already working hard to process alcohol, and taking additional medications can increase the risk of liver damage.