Question

​in the average healthy person, about how much time is required by the liver to process the alcohol in a typical drink?

Answer 1

It takes about 1 hour for one ounce of alcohol to get metabolised into the liver. Alcohol is mainly absorbed in stomach and proximal parts of intestine, though all the body parts of gastrointestinal tract can also take part in the process of alcohol adsorption. It reaches every cell in particular but major metabolism occurs in the liver. 2-10% is excreted throughout the lungs, urine and in the form of sweat. 10% is metabolised over smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Rest is converted into a chemical "acetaldehyde" with the help of alcohol dehydrogenase. Acetaldehyde is oxidised into cytosol by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. It specifically liberates heat in the form if energy.
Most of the Asians have limited power of this oxidation. Hence, alcoholic drinks give them a feeling of flushing. "Hangover" (symptoms: dizziness, nausea and gastritis) next morning is due to persistence of acetaldehyde. The latter also damage the tissues of vital parts. Practically no energy is available for body to use it. Heat is produced which disturbs body's thermostat (irregular temperature regulation). Excess of heat is taken to skin for dissipation.
Therefore, the body spends more energy than it actually obtains from alcohol. Thus, increasing the time of metabolism for each ounce they intake.