Alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine, where the liver takes approx 30 minutes to process one ounce of alcohol. Until the liver has time to break down all of the alcohol, it continues to circulate in the bloodstream, affecting all the organs and once it reaches the brain, you begin to "feel" drunk. Knowing this, I always eat before drinking and have a glass of water for every two drinks. The food slows the absorbtion and the water dilutes it. Plus, I find that going to the bathroom often sobers me up a lot quicker and I don't have hangovers in the morning! You can be poisoned by too much alcohol. Your body is rejecting anymore of it. Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing, the heart beat, and the gag reflex (prevents choking). A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions. After the victim stops drinking, the heart keeps beating, and alcohol in the stomach continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. Alcohol is a poison. The buzz you get from it is the side effects of the body fighting the poison. If you poison your body enough it tried to purge itself of the poison. So, you barf.