Medically Reviewed:
Dr. Michael Vines, MD
Ray Hamilton, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
Last Updated: May 21, 2025
Many people wake up hours after a night of drinking and head straight to the gym, hoping to “sweat out” the alcohol. But is that really effective—or even safe? The idea that sweating helps eliminate alcohol has become a popular myth. While it’s true that your body does release small traces of alcohol through sweat, this method won’t do much to speed up recovery.
When a person consumes alcohol, their body begins the process of breaking it down and eliminating it. The liver plays the most significant role in this process, metabolizing about 90% of the amount of alcohol consumed. The remaining 10% is expelled through urine, breath, and sweat.
The liver converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance, and then further breaks it down into harmless compounds that the body can eliminate. This metabolic process takes time and cannot be rushed. Factors such as body weight, age, gender, and liver health influence how quickly alcohol is processed.
Many people believe that sweating can help alcohol leave the body faster. This belief likely stems from the fact that alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, which can make you feel warm and cause you to sweat. However, this sweating is not the same as detoxifying your body from alcohol.
Although a small amount of alcohol leaves the body through sweat, this is negligible compared to the liver’s role. Therefore, sweating is not an effective method to speed up alcohol elimination.
Sweating only removes a tiny fraction of alcohol from the body. The majority is metabolized by the liver and expelled through urine and breath. No amount of sweating, whether from exercise, sauna, or hot weather, will significantly speed up the removal of alcohol.
Alcohol affects the central nervous system and causes your blood vessels to expand, a process called vasodilation. This leads to increased blood flow to the skin, making you feel warm and causing you to sweat. Additionally, alcohol can disrupt your body’s temperature regulation, which may cause you to experience night sweats.
Alcohol detox is the process of allowing the body to rid itself of alcohol after prolonged or heavy alcohol consumption. For people who struggle with alcohol or have developed alcohol dependency, detox can be a challenging and sometimes life-threatening process.
During alcohol detox, especially in cases of dependency, excessive sweating is a common symptom. This sweating is not a sign that the body is detoxifying through sweat, but rather a withdrawal symptom caused by the nervous system’s reaction to the absence of alcohol.
Other Withdrawal Symptoms Include:
In severe cases, withdrawal can lead to delirium tremens, a dangerous condition characterized by severe confusion, hallucinations, and seizures. This condition requires immediate medical attention.
Many people believe that exercising after a night of drinking can help them “sweat out” the alcohol and feel better. However, working out while hungover can be risky.
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urination and causes dehydration. If you don’t drink plenty of water, your blood sugar can drop, making you feel dizzy or weak.
Your heart rate may also be elevated, and alcohol can affect coordination and balance. Combined, these side effects increase the risk of injury during workouts.
Gentle activities like walking or stretching may be safe if you feel up to it, but intense workouts or heavy lifting should be avoided until you are fully recovered. Most importantly, drink plenty of water before, during, and after any physical activity to help your body rehydrate.
Instead of trying to “sweat it out,” focus on safe and healthy ways to help your body recover:
After alcohol consumption, your body is depleted of fluids. Drink plenty of water to replace what you lost. You can also try electrolyte drinks or coconut water for quicker rehydration.
Alcohol disrupts blood sugar levels. Eat complex carbs, lean protein, and healthy fats to stabilize your energy and mood.
Your body heals best when you rest. Alcohol interferes with sleep quality, so give yourself time to recover.
Some people try to treat a hangover with “hair of the dog.” This only delays symptoms and puts more strain on your liver. The best approach is to stop drinking and allow your body to recover.
Alcohol detox can cause sweating as a symptom, but this is different from sweating to eliminate alcohol. Exercising with a hangover is generally unsafe and can worsen symptoms. Instead, focus on hydration, nutrition, and rest to recover safely after alcohol consumption.
If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol, help is available. Talk to your doctor or a certified addiction specialist. You don’t have to face it alone, and recovery is possible.
Our addiction rehab and treatment centers in Scottsdale, Arizona, are here to support individuals facing alcohol abuse. Our trained addiction specialists offer personalized, comprehensive care designed to meet each person’s unique needs. Contact us today to begin your journey toward a healthier, alcohol-free life.
