Is there a pill to prevent getting drunk? Unpacking the science and pharmacology

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 1 in 6 Americans report binge drinking, which prompts many to wonder, 'Is there a pill to prevent getting drunk?'. While no magic pill exists to block intoxication, there are FDA-approved prescription medications for managing Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) that function in specific, targeted ways.

Quick Summary

This article explores the myth of a pill to prevent drunkenness by explaining how the body metabolizes alcohol. It details the mechanisms of genuine, prescription medications like naltrexone and disulfiram, which aid in managing Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), and contrasts these with responsible behavioral strategies for consumption.

Key Points

No instant sobriety pill: There is no medication that can block the intoxicating effects of alcohol for a casual drinker.
AUD medications differ: Prescription drugs like naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate are for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) in a medical context, not for enabling casual drinking.
Naltrexone blocks pleasure: Naltrexone works by reducing the rewarding, euphoric feelings of alcohol and decreasing cravings, but does not prevent physical impairment.
Disulfiram is a deterrent: Disulfiram causes an unpleasant, deterrent reaction (flushing, nausea) when alcohol is consumed, and is most effective under supervised use.
Time is the only cure: The body's liver metabolizes alcohol at a constant rate, and only time can reduce your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
Behavioral strategies are key: The most effective ways to avoid getting drunk are through conscious behaviors like pacing drinks, eating, and staying hydrated.
Medical supervision is essential: Any pharmacological treatment for alcohol must be administered under a doctor's supervision as part of a structured treatment plan for AUD.

The myth of a 'sobering pill'

When people ask, "Is there a pill to prevent getting drunk?" they are often hoping for a quick fix that allows them to enjoy alcohol without any intoxicating effects. The simple answer is no. No medication can block the effects of alcohol in a casual, recreational setting. Alcohol's intoxicating effects are caused by its journey through the bloodstream to the brain, slowing down the central nervous system. Only time allows the liver to metabolize and remove alcohol from the system. Medications prescribed for alcohol use disorder (AUD) are designed to support a person's recovery journey and alter their relationship with alcohol, not enable a person to drink without consequence.

Understanding alcohol metabolism

To understand why a 'sobering pill' is a myth, it's helpful to know how alcohol is processed by the body. When you consume an alcoholic beverage, it is absorbed into your bloodstream primarily through the stomach and small intestine. From there, it travels throughout the body, including to the brain, where it acts as a central nervous system depressant. The liver is the primary organ responsible for metabolizing, or breaking down, the alcohol.

This process occurs in two main steps:

Step 1: The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) converts alcohol (ethanol) into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound.
Step 2: The enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) rapidly converts acetaldehyde into harmless acetate.

The liver can only metabolize a small, fixed amount of alcohol per hour. Drinking faster than this rate leads to a buildup of alcohol in the bloodstream, resulting in intoxication. Factors like weight, gender, food intake, and metabolism all influence a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the rate at which they become intoxicated.

Prescription medications for alcohol use disorder

Medications exist to help treat alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is different from simply preventing intoxication. These drugs are prescribed by a doctor and are part of a comprehensive treatment plan that often includes counseling and therapy.

Naltrexone (oral tablets or extended-release injection)

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that works by blocking the endorphin receptors in the brain. For someone with AUD, drinking alcohol releases natural opioids, which create a rewarding, euphoric sensation. By blocking these receptors, naltrexone reduces the pleasurable effects and cravings associated with drinking, thereby decreasing the urge to consume alcohol.

Mechanism: Blocks the rewarding effects of alcohol by acting on the brain's opioid system.
Usage: Can be taken as a daily pill or a monthly injection (Vivitrol). It can be started while a person is still drinking.
Note: While it reduces the desire for alcohol, naltrexone does not eliminate the physical impairment caused by intoxication.

Disulfiram (oral tablets)

Disulfiram, formerly known by the brand name Antabuse, works as a deterrent. It inhibits the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which causes acetaldehyde to build up in the body if alcohol is consumed. This leads to an extremely unpleasant physical reaction, including flushing, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and a throbbing sensation.

Mechanism: Inhibits the breakdown of alcohol, causing an adverse reaction.
Usage: Taken daily under supervision, as poor compliance is a common issue due to the unpleasant effects.
Note: This medication is most effective for highly motivated individuals who have already stopped drinking.

Acamprosate (oral tablets)

Acamprosate (Campral) helps individuals maintain abstinence from alcohol. It is not used to prevent drunkenness during drinking but rather to combat cravings after a person has stopped. It is thought to work by restoring the balance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that have been affected by chronic alcohol consumption.

Mechanism: Helps normalize brain activity disrupted by alcohol dependence, reducing cravings associated with protracted withdrawal.
Usage: Started after an individual has detoxed and is abstinent.
Note: It does not produce an adverse reaction if alcohol is consumed.

Comparison of AUD medications


Feature	Naltrexone	Disulfiram	Acamprosate
Mechanism	Blocks rewarding, euphoric effects of alcohol.	Causes an unpleasant physical reaction if alcohol is consumed.	Reduces cravings associated with protracted withdrawal.
Timing	Taken daily or monthly, can be started while still drinking.	Taken daily, requires abstinence for at least 12 hours before starting.	Taken three times daily, only after detox and abstinence.
Effect if Drinking	No unpleasant physical symptoms, but reduces the pleasurable feelings from alcohol.	Causes severe, unpleasant physical reaction.	No adverse physical reaction; helps maintain abstinence.
Patient Motivation	Helpful for those seeking to reduce consumption or maintain abstinence.	Best for highly motivated individuals and requires supervised administration.	For those committed to abstinence after detox.

Responsible drinking strategies: The most effective approach

Since no pill can prevent intoxication, the most reliable methods for avoiding it are behavioral and strategic. These practices help manage blood alcohol concentration and keep you in control. A list of effective strategies includes:

Eating before and during drinking: Food, especially high-protein and fatty foods, slows the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
Pacing yourself: The liver can process about one standard drink per hour. Drinking slowly gives your body more time to process the alcohol.
Counting your drinks: Keeping track of how many standard drinks you've had helps you stay aware of your consumption.
Alternating with non-alcoholic drinks: Having a glass of water or soda between alcoholic beverages slows your alcohol intake and helps you stay hydrated.
Knowing your limit: Understand your personal tolerance and decide on a limit before you start drinking.
Avoiding shots: Shots deliver a high concentration of alcohol very quickly, leading to a rapid rise in BAC.

Conclusion: Responsible choices over magical pills

In conclusion, the idea of a simple pill to prevent getting drunk is a misconception rooted in a desire for convenience. Genuine, prescription-strength medications like naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate serve a distinct medical purpose in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) but are not intended for recreational use to block intoxication. Time remains the only true way to metabolize and remove alcohol from the system. For those concerned about managing alcohol consumption, the safest and most effective approaches involve responsible drinking habits and, if needed, professional medical guidance for AUD.

Visit the NIAAA website for more information on alcohol treatment and recovery

Frequently Asked Questions

No, there are no over-the-counter pills that can prevent a person from getting drunk. Any products claiming to do so are misleading and potentially dangerous, as they do not affect how the liver processes alcohol.

Naltrexone helps reduce alcohol cravings and blocks the pleasurable, euphoric feelings associated with drinking. It can help people reduce heavy drinking or maintain abstinence as part of an AUD treatment program, but it does not prevent physical intoxication.

Naltrexone blocks the rewarding effects of alcohol in the brain, while disulfiram causes an unpleasant physical reaction if alcohol is consumed by inhibiting its metabolism. Naltrexone reduces craving, whereas disulfiram acts as a deterrent.

No, prescription medications for AUD are not designed for this purpose and are not a substitute for responsible drinking habits. Using them this way is not safe and does not prevent the physical impairments caused by alcohol.

Effective non-medical strategies include eating a full meal before drinking, pacing yourself to no more than one standard drink per hour, alternating with non-alcoholic beverages, and avoiding shots.

Yes, it is extremely dangerous, particularly with disulfiram. The severe reaction can lead to serious health complications, including severe nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and heart problems. Attempting to override any prescribed medication for AUD can have serious health risks.

It depends on the medication. Naltrexone can be started while a person is still drinking. However, disulfiram requires a person to be abstinent for at least 12 hours, and acamprosate is typically started after detox is complete.