Individual body chemistry. Drinking history and experience. Such things as current mood and attitude. I n spite of your best intentions and those of you guests, someone may become drunk at your party. The easy alternatives have been to get rid of him or her as quickly as possible, or to search for a fast way to sober up the individual.
T here is no way to sober up quickly.
Black coffee, a cold shower, or even a whiff of oxygen simply are not effective sobering agents. I f possible, see that the drunken guest gets home safely, but do not let him drive. It may take some ingenuity and determination to part an intoxicated guest from his car keys, but it must be done to protect both his safety and that of the public. O ften the kindest thing you can do for an intoxicated guest is to make him comfortable and let him sleep it off until he is sober enough to take himself home safely. I t is hospitable and advisable to serve a snack with coffee, tea, of other nonalcoholic beverage before guests leave, even though this will not sober up an intoxicated person.