Intoxication: How the Body Processes Alcohol

Have you ever stopped to think about what really happens inside your body after a glass of wine, a bottle of beer, or a cocktail? That warm, relaxed feeling doesn’t just appear by magic. Intoxication is the result of a complex process that begins the moment alcohol enters your body and continues until it is fully broken down and removed. Understanding this process can help you make more informed choices about drinking and its effects.

What Happens When You Take a Drink?

Unlike food, alcohol does not need to be fully digested before it enters the bloodstream. As soon as you take a sip, small amounts are absorbed through the mouth and throat. Once alcohol reaches the stomach, about 20% is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. The majority—around 80%—is absorbed through the small intestine, where it enters the blood very quickly. This rapid absorption explains why the effects of alcohol can be felt within minutes.

Once in the bloodstream, alcohol travels throughout the body, reaching vital organs such as the brain, liver, and heart.

Alcohol and the Brain: Why You Feel Different

Alcohol is classified as a central nervous system depressant. This means it slows down the communication between brain cells. As alcohol levels rise, brain function becomes impaired, leading to common signs of intoxication such as relaxation, reduced inhibitions, slower reaction times, and impaired judgment.

As more alcohol enters the bloodstream, coordination and balance can be affected, speech may become slurred, and decision-making becomes less reliable. This is why activities like driving or operating machinery become dangerous after drinking.

The Liver’s Role: Processing Alcohol

The liver is the body’s main organ responsible for processing alcohol. In fact, it handles about 90% of the alcohol you consume. The liver breaks alcohol down in stages using special enzymes.

First, an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that is actually more harmful than alcohol itself. Another enzyme then converts acetaldehyde into acetate, which is further broken down into water and carbon dioxide. These final by-products are safely eliminated from the body.

However, the liver can only process a small amount of alcohol at a time. When you drink faster than your liver can keep up, alcohol builds up in the bloodstream, leading to increased intoxication.

How Alcohol Leaves the Body

Alcohol is removed from the body gradually. Small amounts leave through breath, urine, and sweat, which is why alcohol can be detected in breath tests. Despite common myths, there is no quick way to sober up. Coffee, cold showers, or exercise do not speed up alcohol metabolism—only time allows the liver to do its job.

Final Thoughts

Intoxication is not just a temporary feeling; it is a biological process that affects the entire body. Understanding how alcohol is absorbed, processed, and eliminated helps explain why moderation matters and why responsible drinking is so important.

The more you know about how your body handles alcohol, the better equipped you are to enjoy it safely and responsibly.