Can alcohol pass directly through the stomach walls and enter the bloodstream?

Alcohol can indeed pass directly through the walls of the stomach and enter the bloodstream. This absorption process begins almost immediately after alcohol is consumed. While a significant portion of alcohol absorption occurs in the small intestine, alcohol can start to enter the bloodstream through the gastric mucosa, or stomach lining, as soon as it is ingested.

Factors such as the presence of food in the stomach can influence the rate of absorption; for instance, food can slow down the absorption process. However, the essential fact is that alcohol can penetrate the stomach walls directly into the bloodstream regardless of whether it is consumed rapidly or with food. Therefore, the assertion that alcohol can pass directly through the stomach walls is accurate and reflects the physiological process of alcohol absorption.