Imagine if a person could get drunk without even drinking alcohol. In Belgium, that’s what happened to one man because of a rare condition called auto-brewery syndrome (ABS). This man, who works in a brewery, got pulled over by the police. They thought he was drunk, but he hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol.
When the police tested his breath, they found his blood alcohol level was very high—four times more than the legal limit. But he wasn’t drinking. Instead, his body was making alcohol on its own because of ABS.
Here’s how it works: When someone with ABS eats carbs, the fungi in their gut turn it into alcohol. This process can make them act drunk, even though they haven’t had any alcohol. It can cause problems like coordination issues, memory loss, and even aggressive behavior.
The man in Belgium had been accused of drunk driving three times before. But this time, tests from three doctors proved he had ABS. So, the court let him go free.
Now, he’s on a special diet and getting medical help to manage his condition. ABS can be serious. In New York, another person with ABS got pulled over after a flat tire. Their breathalyzer test showed a dangerously high level of alcohol—enough to be fatal.
Although only a few dozen people worldwide have been diagnosed with ABS, recent studies suggest there might be more cases out there. So, it’s essential for doctors to be aware of this condition, especially for those facing legal troubles because of it.
