What is the last phase of alcohol metabolism?

The last phase of alcohol metabolism is elimination. During this phase, the body removes alcohol from the bloodstream after it has been metabolized. This process primarily occurs in the liver, where enzymes, particularly alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, break down ethanol into acetaldehyde and then into acetic acid, which is further metabolized into carbon dioxide and water.

Elimination refers to the overall process of clearing alcohol from the body, which includes both metabolic breakdown and excretion. It is significant because the rate at which alcohol is eliminated can affect blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels, determining the individual’s level of intoxication and the time taken for recovery.

In contrast, the other phases—distribution, absorption, and administration—refer to initial processes involved when alcohol enters the body, how it spreads throughout the body tissues (distribution), and how it is introduced into the body (administration), which all occur before the metabolism is complete and elimination begins. Thus, elimination is indeed the final stage in the overall metabolism of alcohol.