Does food in the stomach allow a person to drink heavily without becoming intoxicated?

The presence of food in the stomach does not prevent a person from becoming intoxicated when drinking heavily. While food can slow down the absorption of alcohol from the stomach into the bloodstream, it does not significantly reduce the overall amount of alcohol absorbed or prevent the effects of intoxication. Factors such as the rate and amount of alcohol consumed, gender, weight, and individual metabolism play a more significant role in determining the level of intoxication.