True or false: Alcohol can pass directly through the stomach walls and enter the bloodstream.

The statement is true because alcohol can indeed pass directly through the stomach walls into the bloodstream. This absorption begins almost immediately after consumption; alcohol does not require digestion like food does. While most alcohol absorption occurs in the small intestine, some alcohol can be absorbed directly in the stomach, especially in its undiluted form. Factors such as the presence of food can influence the overall absorption rate, but the fundamental fact remains that alcohol itself can penetrate the stomach lining and enter circulation directly. This is pertinent in understanding how alcohol affects the body, particularly in contexts like impairment tests and intoxication levels.