After working as a bartender for seven years, I’ve learned of and experimented with a slew of hangover cures to try to find the most effective one.
Want the bad news first? My conclusion: The only real hangover cure is time.
Your liver processes 1 ounce of alcohol per hour. So, if you down three shots of tequila to calm your nerves before you step on the dance floor, be prepared to wait three hours before the effects from those shots are gone.
Not the reality I wanted, either. Trust me.
I have, however, found three new things this year that have aided with the symptoms of a hangover. I still call these “cures” because they’ve made me feel five times better than I did when I woke up with makeup still on and a throbbing headache.
The human liver processes 1 ounce of alcohol per hour. (Dreamstime/TNS)
Alka Seltzer hangover relief
Before you let someone “Buy U a Drank,” equip yourself with the new T-Pain and Alka-Seltzer Hangover Relief tablet.
The Florida rapper partnered with the medicine brand in late June to “show you how to bounce back from a fun night” with this fast-acting remedy.
Drop the tablets in a glass of water, listen to them “plop, plop, fizz, fizz,” and get relief from your body aches, headache and mental fatigue in as little as 15 minutes.
“I’m always looking for hangover relief, so why not find a product that works for me and sing a song about it?” T-Pain said in an Instagram video of him recording his remix of the classic Alka-Seltzer jingle. “Now that we have this new product, it’s been a life saver. I can actually get up and start getting stuff done.”
The best part: You can buy 20 tablets for just $5.99 at your local CVS. Also available at Target, Walgreens, Walmart and Amazon.
Ice cold water
A new TikTok trend has taken the social media site by storm — or freeze, shall we say — and has viewers running to their kitchens to find a head-sized bowl and cubes of ice.
Creators say dipping your face in a bowl of iced water “gets rid of a hangover in 30 seconds.”
I find this “cure” interesting because sometimes when I wake up after an especially fun night out, I get the urge to submerge myself in a bath or swimming pool. I’ve never been able to explain it, but I feel the connection with this new hack.
After trying it, it quickly moved to the top of my lift of remedies. Plus, it’s virtually free!
Liquid IV
Liquid IV didn’t come into production in 2022, but the electrolyte drink has gained popularity this year as an effective hangover cure to aid with faster hydration.
The product markets itself as containing 3x the electrolytes of traditional sports drinks with five essential vitamins. It also claims to “hydrate faster and more efficiently than water alone.”
The sticks come in 15 flavors including strawberry, watermelon and blueberry lavender. It comes as a powder that you mix with 16 ounces of water. You can drink as many servings as needed.
The brand also produces an energy multiplier that is similar to the hydration multiplier, but with 100mg of caffeine.
It has a blend of Coffeeberry® Energy Extract, CognatIQ™ Coffee Fruit Extract, and L-Theanine for “physical energy and a cognitive boost.”
They even have a site-wide 30% off sale for the end of the year. Or, you can run to Costco or any local pharmacy if you need them faster than they can ship.
If you find yourself drinking more than the daily recommended amount of alcohol this New Year’s Eve, use these three remedies to ensure you don’t enter the new year with last year’s hangover.
___
Prevalence of binge drinking by state
Prevalence of binge drinking by state
Updated
While having an occasional drink may seem harmless, there are undoubtedly consequences for drinking heavily. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol consumption over time can lead to chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, liver disease, cancer, and has even accounted for 95,000 deaths a year in the U.S.
The Community Preventive Services Task Force, an independent, nonfederal group of public health and prevention experts, has suggested several strategies for preventing excessive drinking. Some of these suggestions include raised alcohol taxation, regulating the number of alcohol outlets and availability, and enforcing laws preventing alcohol sales to minors.
Citing data released by the CDC in October 2021 based on a May 2018 survey, Zinnia Health identified rates of binge drinking across the U.S. Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks on one occasion for women and five or more for men. The research only surveyed people who binge drank in the past 30 days. The CDC definition does not encompass what qualifies as binge drinking for trans or nonbinary individuals.

Alabama
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 8.4
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 10.8
Alaska
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.9
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.6
- Median number of drinks: 5.4
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.6
Arizona
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.2
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.3
Arkansas
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.9
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.2
- Median number of drinks: 5.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.8
California
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 7.9
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.5
Colorado
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.1
- Median number of drinks: 5.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.4
Connecticut
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 7.8
- Median number of drinks: 5.2
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.3
Washington D.C.
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 6.9
- Median number of drinks: 5.2
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.4
Delaware
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.3
- Median number of drinks: 5.3
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.3
Florida
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.8
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 14.2
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.1
Georgia
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.7
- Median number of drinks: 5.3
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.5
Hawaii
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.9
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.1
- Median number of drinks: 5.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 13.3
Idaho
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 2
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 10.5
- Median number of drinks: 5.8
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 13.1
Illinois
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.9
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.7
- Median number of drinks: 5.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 14
Indiana
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.9
- Median number of drinks: 5.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 14.1
Iowa
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.9
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.5
- Median number of drinks: 5.8
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.9
Kansas
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 8.6
- Median number of drinks: 5.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.5
Kentucky
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.9
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 10.2
- Median number of drinks: 5.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 13.7
Louisiana
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 2
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.9
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.3
Maine
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.8
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.3
- Median number of drinks: 5.4
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.2
Maryland
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 7.9
- Median number of drinks: 5.3
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 10
Massachusetts
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 7
- Median number of drinks: 5.4
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.2
Michigan
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.8
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 10
- Median number of drinks: 5.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.7
Minnesota
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.1
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.3
Mississippi
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 2.1
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 14.8
- Median number of drinks: 5.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 14.6
Missouri
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.8
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 14
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.7
Montana
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.1
- Median number of drinks: 5.4
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 10.4
Nebraska
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.1
- Median number of drinks: 5.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.4
Nevada
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 7.4
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.2
New Hampshire
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.9
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.2
New Jersey
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: Estimates considered unreliable
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 7.2
- Median number of drinks: 5.2
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.7
New Mexico
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.8
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.4
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 13.1
New York
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 7.7
- Median number of drinks: 5.4
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11
North Carolina
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.8
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 10.7
- Median number of drinks: 5.4
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 10.5
North Dakota
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.8
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 8.2
- Median number of drinks: 5.9
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 14.1
Ohio
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.9
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 12
- Median number of drinks: 5.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.8
Oklahoma
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.3
- Median number of drinks: 5.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.5
Oregon
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.6
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.9
Pennsylvania
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.8
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 7.9
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.5
Rhode Island
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 8.5
- Median number of drinks: 5.4
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.7
South Carolina
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.9
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.4
- Median number of drinks: 5.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.7
South Dakota
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 7.8
- Median number of drinks: 5.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.6
Tennessee
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.2
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.8
Texas
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.8
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.9
- Median number of drinks: 5.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.7
Utah
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 10.2
- Median number of drinks: 5.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.4
Vermont
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.9
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.5
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 10.6
Virginia
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.6
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.8
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.3
Washington
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.2
- Median number of drinks: 5.3
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.9
West Virginia
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.8
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 15.2
- Median number of drinks: 6.4
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 14.6
Wisconsin
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.7
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 9.1
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 10.8
Wyoming
Updated
- Median times respondents binge drank in the past month: 1.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 10.4
- Median number of drinks: 5.5
--- Among top 10% of binge drinkers: 11.6
This story originally appeared on Zinnia Health and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.




