Answers Book · Prepare

How Do I Pace Myself on a Night Out?

The 10-second answer

Count standard drinks, not glasses. Have water and food as you go. Your body needs about an hour per drink, but timing varies.

The simple answer

Pacing means giving your body time. Have water between drinks and eat, but don't treat either as a way to cancel alcohol. Count standard drinks, not glasses: a strong cocktail or heavy pour can hold more than one drink. Your body needs about an hour to process one drink, but timing varies. Never use a drink-count rule to decide you can drive.

Myth vs Fact

Myth

The order you drink beer, wine and liquor in decides how rough the morning is.

Fact

NIH lists "beer before liquor, never sicker" as a myth. In general, the more alcohol you drink, the worse the hangover, whatever the order.

The science

  1. Cleveland ClinicYour body needs about an hour to process one drink.
  2. HealthyWASpace each drink with water to avoid dehydration.
  3. HealthyWAAvoid energy drinks with alcohol, because one can mask the effect of the other and you may drink more than you intended.
  4. NIH · CDCA US standard drink is 14 grams of pure alcohol: 12 oz of regular beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor. CDC adds that a beverage you drink might contain more than one standard drink.
  5. NIHBlood alcohol can keep rising after you stop drinking, because alcohol in your stomach keeps entering your blood.

Medical sources

How often people ask: Medium

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This page is general information, not medical advice. Sources are linked above. If you're worried about yourself or someone else, contact a healthcare provider or call 911.
Last checked: September 25, 2026