Physiology of Alcohol in the Body

Alcohol Enters the Body

Obviously, the most common method for alcohol to be introduced into the body and cause problems with DUI DWI arrests is by drinking an alcoholic beverage. However, alcohol can also be inhaled, injected and inserted. Ethyl alcohol fumes, when taken into the lungs, will be readily absorbed by lung tissue and pass into the bloodstream. Ethanol could also be injected into the body, after which it would be absorbed into the bloodstream and travel to the brain. Lastly, alcohol could be inserted in to the body as an enema and pass very quickly through the large intestine into the blood. Insertion of alcohol in this manner is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted, because absorption occurs very quickly causing rapid increases in blood alcohol concentrations without the ability to monitor alcohol intake. Essentially, you can absorb a lethal dose before you realize what you have done.

Alcohol Enters the Blood Stream

When alcoholic beverages are consumed, the alcohol (ethanol) flows through the esophagus and into the stomach. A small percentage of alcohol will be absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach walls, but most absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream occurs once the alcohol has passed through the stomach and into the small intestine. Once the alcohol has made it to the small intestine, it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. Alcohol reaches the brain via the bloodstream, where it causes the impairment wihch is the basis of DUI DWI laws. Impairment increases as the amount of alcohol in the blood - and the brain - increases.

The Wilson Law Firm
DUI, Criminal & Traffic Defense ...When Results Matter

We have helped thousands of clients - and we can help you, too.

(703) 361-6100 / (540) 347-4944

Toll Free
(888) DUI-LWYR
(888) 384-5997

The lawyers of The Wilson Law Firm have traveled Virginia’s several interstates helping clients just like you - appearing in courts all across the Commonwealth of Virgnia - from Virginia Beach and Norfolk in the southeast, to Wise County in the southwest, all the way up I-81 to Frederick County / Winchester in the northwest, and all the way across Warren County, Fauquier County, Prince William County, and Fairfax County on the way to Arlington County and the City of Alexandria in the northeast. The Wilson Law Firm regularly serves Prince William County, the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, the towns of Haymarket and Quantico, Fauquier County / Warrenton, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County / Fredericksburg, Loudoun County / Leesburg, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Culpeper County, Warren County / Front Royal, Clark County / Berryville and Shenandoah County.