What is the term for the process by which alcohol enters the bloodstream?

The process by which alcohol enters the bloodstream is referred to as absorption. When a person consumes alcohol, it is digested and then absorbed through the walls of the stomach and small intestine. From there, it enters the bloodstream, allowing it to circulate throughout the body and affect various systems, including the central nervous system.

This process is crucial to understanding how alcohol influences impairment levels in a person. The rate and efficiency of absorption can vary based on several factors, such as the presence of food in the stomach, the type of alcoholic beverage consumed, and the individual's metabolic rate. Understanding absorption is fundamental for recognizing how quickly and intensely an individual may experience the effects of alcohol after consumption.