To various people, sobering up and detoxifying mean different things. Detox is a medical term that refers to the process through which a person's body rids itself of contaminants. Being sober is defined as not using any drugs or alcohol in recovery circles. Detoxification can refer to the removal of a certain substance from your body. The time it takes to no longer feel inebriated could be referred to as "sobering up." It's important to remember that you can feel sober — that is, not impaired by a substance — but still fail a drug test, such as a breathalyzer. It's also possible to pass a breathalyzer test but fail a more sophisticated drug test that looks for more than just instant drunkenness. It's also possible to be sober, or not intoxicated or high, and still experience withdrawal symptoms. When you quit taking a substance on which you are physiologically reliant, you experience withdrawal. The type of substance taken, the history of use, and your physical constitution all influence withdrawal symptoms. Feeling sober can take many hours or perhaps a day, but withdrawals can happen just after you feel sober or days after your last use. Withdrawals can potentially be harmful and linger for several days. If you think you're withdrawing from alcohol or other drugs, seek medical help right once.