The presence of food in the stomach decreases the rate of absorption. Alcohol mixed with water or fruit juice is absorbed slower, while alcohol mixed with a carbonated beverage is absorbed faster. Body weight and composition are two other factors that effect these rates. Men tend to handle alcohol better than women do. This is because men are generally larger, thus have a larger blood volume, and carry less body fat.
Body fat contains little water for the body to use in diluting alcohol.
Men also have more of the alcohol metabolizing enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase. The situation, your mood, and why you have chosen to drink on a particular occasion effect how alcohol affects you. The body does develop a physical and psychological dependance to alcohol over time. Increased drinking increases your tolerance, requiring more alcohol to cause an affect in you. The type and concentration of alcohol consumed effect the rate of intoxication and metabolism.