What term describes the phenomenon where small amounts of alcohol intoxicate a person after prolonged heavy drinking?

The phenomenon where small amounts of alcohol intoxicate a person after prolonged heavy drinking is best described by the term "tolerance." Tolerance develops when an individual engages in heavy drinking over time, causing their body to adapt to the presence of alcohol. As a result, they may require larger amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effects that they initially experienced with smaller quantities.

When someone experiences intoxication from smaller amounts after a period of heavy drinking, it typically indicates that their body has undergone changes that affect how alcohol is processed. This can lead to a scenario where typical consumption levels may no longer suffice to produce the desired effects, or conversely, a person may become acutely sensitive to alcohol following a break from heavy drinking or a decrease in consumption.

While "tolerance break" refers to a necessary pause from alcohol consumption to reset one's tolerance levels and allow the body to recover its normal response to alcohol, it does not directly describe the intoxication experienced from small amounts after heavy drinking. "Intoxication" refers generally to the state of being affected by alcohol, and "blackout" refers specifically to memory loss resulting from heavy drinking. Therefore, the term "tolerance" is the most accurate description of the phenomenon in question.