Your body starts to break down the alcohol immediately, starting in your mouth, then in your digestive system. As it enters your stomach and small intestine, some of the alcohol will be absorbed into your blood and circulated through your body. It will also reach your brain, where the intoxicating effects take place. You’re likely to start feeling the effects of drinking within a few minutes. How quickly this happens depends on factors including how large you are, your gender and age, whether you’ve eaten and your general health.
