What is the only factor that can decrease intoxication?

The only factor that can effectively decrease intoxication is time. When a person consumes alcohol, it enters the bloodstream and affects various bodily functions. The body metabolizes alcohol at a fairly constant rate, which is typically about one standard drink per hour for most people. As time passes, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) naturally decreases as the liver processes the alcohol.

While medication, caffeine, and food may have various effects on a person's state or perception of intoxication, they do not speed up the body's ability to metabolize alcohol. Medication may interact with alcohol but does not counteract its effects. Caffeine might create a sensation of increased alertness but can mislead someone into thinking they are less impaired while drinking. Food can slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream but does not eliminate the alcohol that is already present. Thus, time is the only reliable factor that genuinely reduces a person's level of intoxication.