Can You Get Drunk Without Drinking Alcohol? Understanding the Possibilities
While some people might have experienced the feeling of “being drunk” the morning after they consumed excessive amounts of alcohol, is it possible to feel intoxicated without ever drinking an alcoholic beverage? Although it’s extremely rare, experts say it can happen.
The phenomenon is called auto-brewery syndrome, or ABS, according to Dr. Douglas Dieterich, M.D., director of the Institute for Liver Medicine at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. The syndrome occurs when a patient’s gut gets colonized by a fungus that metabolizes carbohydrates and sugar into alcohol through fermentation.
In a recent case study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, a 50-year-old woman continually had symptoms associated with intoxication, including the smell of alcohol on her breath, slurred speech, and elevated blood alcohol levels during several emergency department visits, despite not consuming alcohol. She was eventually diagnosed with auto-brewery syndrome after being treated with antibiotics for recurrent urinary tract infections.
Dr. Rahel Zewude, lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of awareness of this rare syndrome in the medical community and the general public to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment. ABS can have significant medical, legal, social, and financial consequences for patients and their loved ones.
Factors like disruption of the gut microbiome, diabetes, gastrointestinal illnesses, liver disease, ulcerative colitis, and genetic predispositions can make a person susceptible to ABS. Testing for ABS involves performing an oral glucose challenge, where a patient’s blood alcohol levels are monitored after ingesting glucose to confirm gut fermentation of alcohol from carbohydrates.
Treatment for ABS usually includes antifungal medications, a low-carb diet, and probiotics to improve gut health. Patients are advised to avoid simple carbohydrates and incorporate lean protein, heart-healthy fats, and low-starch vegetables into their diet to reduce symptoms and promote overall health.
The condition requires a multidisciplinary approach involving liver specialists, gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, infectious diseases specialists, and registered dietitians. Although ABS has been known for over 50 years, it is still widely misunderstood, highlighting the need for more information on diagnosis and treatment.
In conclusion, while getting drunk without drinking alcohol is rare, auto-brewery syndrome is a real condition that can have serious implications for those affected. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for ABS, healthcare providers and patients can work together to manage this unique phenomenon effectively.