Let’s be honest: there is no proven hangover cure – the only reliable fix is time, according to the US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). But you can make a hangover much less likely: eat first, pace yourself to about one standard drink an hour, drink water between drinks, avoid mixing alcohol with energy drinks and get proper sleep.
What causes a hangover?
- Dehydration: alcohol suppresses vasopressin, the hormone that tells your kidneys to hold water, so you lose more fluid.
- Acetaldehyde: a toxic by-product created as your liver breaks alcohol down.
- Congeners: flavour compounds formed during fermentation, found in higher amounts in darker drinks such as bourbon and brandy than in vodka or gin.
- Poor sleep: alcohol may help you nod off but disrupts deeper sleep later in the night.
Seven habits that actually help
- Eat a real meal before and during drinking – food slows alcohol absorption.
- Know your standard drinks: a 330 ml beer at 5%, a 150 ml glass of wine at 12% and a 45 ml shot at 40% each hold roughly 13–14 g of alcohol. See the ABV chart.
- Pace yourself – your body clears roughly one standard drink an hour.
- Drink a glass of water after every alcoholic drink (“zebra striping”).
- Choose lighter-coloured drinks if dark spirits tend to hit you harder.
- Skip energy drinks with alcohol – caffeine masks how drunk you are (see Jägerbomb and energy drinks).
- Watch strong beers and mixes: one 500 ml can at 20% contains more alcohol than six regular beers.
Hangover myths
- “Hair of the dog”: another drink only postpones the hangover.
- Coffee or a cold shower sobers you up: they make you feel more alert but do not lower your blood alcohol.
- “Beer before liquor”: the order matters less than the total amount and speed.
- Miracle pills: research hasn’t found any remedy that reliably prevents or cures hangovers.
Driving in Jordan: the new limit
Since June 2025 Jordan’s legal blood alcohol limit for drivers is 50 mg per 100 ml (down from 80 mg). Penalties include a 250 JOD fine, vehicle impoundment, detention and a two-month licence suspension, and the Traffic Department stresses there is no safe amount of alcohol for drivers. If you drink, take a taxi or nominate a driver. More: drinking and driving laws in Jordan.
When to get help
Vomiting while barely conscious, very slow or irregular breathing, confusion or not waking up are signs of alcohol poisoning. Call Jordan’s emergency number 911 immediately and keep the person on their side.
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Sources: NIAAA – Hangovers, CDC – Alcohol and caffeine, Roya News – Jordan’s BAC limit (2025).
Hangover FAQ
What is the best way to avoid a hangover?
Eat before drinking, pace yourself to about one standard drink an hour, drink water between drinks, avoid energy-drink mixers and get enough sleep.
Is there a cure for a hangover?
No remedy has been proven to cure a hangover; rest, fluids and time are what help.
Do darker drinks cause worse hangovers?
They can for some people: darker spirits such as bourbon contain more congeners than clear spirits like vodka, which may worsen symptoms.
Does coffee sober you up?
No. Coffee can make you feel more awake but does not lower your blood alcohol concentration.
What is the drink-driving limit in Jordan?
Since June 2025 it is 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, with penalties including a 250 JOD fine and a two-month licence suspension.
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