Which process describes how alcohol enters the bloodstream?

The process whereby alcohol enters the bloodstream is known as absorption. This occurs primarily in the stomach and small intestine after alcohol is consumed. Once alcohol is ingested, it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the stomach and intestine. Factors such as the presence of food in the stomach can significantly affect the rate of absorption; for example, consuming alcohol on an empty stomach usually leads to faster absorption and increased blood alcohol concentration.

Detoxification refers to the body's process of eliminating toxins, including alcohol, but it does not describe how alcohol initially enters the bloodstream. Metabolism involves the chemical processes that modify substances within the body, including breaking down alcohol after it has been absorbed, which is a subsequent step rather than the initial process of absorption. Circulation pertains to the movement of blood throughout the body, but it does not specifically refer to how substances like alcohol first enter the bloodstream. Therefore, absorption is the most accurate term to describe this specific process.