Final answer:
The main cause of intoxication is alcohol in the bloodstream, which affects the brain. The liver metabolizes alcohol, but intoxication is due to its effects on the blood and brain, not its processing in the liver or other organs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main cause of intoxication is alcohol in the a. Bloodstream. When a person consumes alcoholic drinks, the alcohol is absorbed into their blood, leading to a change in their blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Factors like age, sex, and pre-existing health conditions can affect a person's BAC, even with the same amount of alcohol intake. The liver plays a crucial role in metabolizing alcohol, but the actual intoxication effects are because of alcohol's presence in the bloodstream which affects brain function and can lead to impaired judgment, drowsiness, and loss of coordination.
Alcohol is broken down in the human body by the liver at a constant rate, regardless of interventions such as drinking coffee or taking a shower. It typically takes the liver approximately one hour to metabolize the alcohol from one standard drink. Chronic excessive drinking can lead to serious long-term effects, such as liver and kidney disease, which are both part of the excretory system. A poorly functioning liver due to alcohol abuse can also strain the kidneys, causing further health issues.