Is it true that alcohol must be digested before it enters the bloodstream?

The statement is false because alcohol does not need to be digested in the same way that food does. When alcohol is consumed, it quickly absorbs into the bloodstream. This absorption primarily occurs through the stomach and the small intestine, where alcohol molecules can pass directly into the blood without the necessity for digestion.

While food in the stomach can slow the absorption rate of alcohol, it does not mean that alcohol itself requires digestion. Thus, the process of absorption bypasses the complex breakdown that solid food undergoes, allowing alcohol to enter the bloodstream relatively quickly, usually within minutes. This rapid absorption is a key factor in understanding how alcohol affects the body and the legal implications surrounding drinking and driving.