Getting Drunk Without Drinking Alcohol? Is That Possible? (2024)

FAQs

What can cause you to feel drunk without drinking? ›

There is limited information in the medical literature on auto-brewery syndrome, also known as gut-fermentation syndrome. This rare syndrome occurs because of yeast overgrowth in the gut, leading to fermentation of ethanol, thereby causing symptoms similar to alcohol intoxication without ingestion of alcohol.

If you feel drunk after drinking non-alcoholic beer, it's most likely due to the placebo effect. The placebo effect occurs when the anticipation of a particular outcome causes an individual to experience the symptoms of that outcome, even without outside influence.

In a case like this, it's hard to say if alcohol played a role in your arrest, but it's still your right to defend yourself. If you're struggling with heat exhaustion or dehydration, you can become confused and even seem like you're intoxicated when you're not.

One condition that will make someone appear intoxicated is hyperglycemia. This is when there is too much glucose in the blood. In cases of hyper and hypoglycemia, the brain may not be getting enough glucose, and the cells around the body may not be processing it correctly.

Like with drinking, exhausted neurons respond more slowly, take longer and send weaker signals, according to the new research.

Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), also known as gut fermentation syndrome, is a very rare disorder. It is characterized by the endogenous production of alcohol. It typically presents with the signs of alcohol intoxication, such as staggering gait, slurred speech, gastrointestinal distress, and state of confusion.

If your stomach is completely empty, it's easier for alcohol to slip right into your system and impact you much quicker. It can also depend on what type of food you're eating. Some believe that eating low-fat or fat-free foods can impact how drunk you get and how quickly.

Why am I walking like I'm drunk? ›

Vestibular balance disorders can affect your balance and make you feel disoriented. Common causes include inner ear problems, medicines, infections, and traumatic brain injury. These disorders can occur at any age. But they are most common as you get older.

Hypoglycemia can mimic effects of alcohol

They may not realize you need help. Make sure your friends know that low blood sugar can look like being drunk.

Does one drink break sobriety? Sobriety is often defined as complete abstinence from alcohol or drugs. By this definition, a single drink or use of a drug is enough to break a streak of sobriety.

Patients with alcoholic dementia often develop apathy, related to frontal lobe damage, that may mimic depression. People with an alcohol use disorder are more likely to become depressed than people without alcohol use disorder, and it may be difficult to differentiate between depression and alcohol dementia.

Kava-kava (Piper methysticum)

This herb closely mimics the effects of alcohol. A member of the pepper family, kava-kava has been used for centuries as a recreational drink and ceremony in Oceania.

The onset of a viral illness known as the “prodromal period” may mimic feeling hungover without drinking. This is usually a short period before the actual symptoms of the viral illness appear. This usually occurs with viruses like mononucleosis, influenza, common colds, and gastrointestinal illness.

Some symptoms of auto-brewery syndrome can mimic other conditions or medical events, such as hypoglycemia or a stroke, Cordell said. She recommends that people who suspect they have auto-brewery syndrome get a breathalyzer so they can test their blood alcohol levels when symptoms manifest.

At first, you may feel happy and less inhibited, but after several drinks you'll probably: slur your words. have blurred vision. lose your coordination.

Your BAC levels may be impacted by some drugs. Some drugs could give the impression that you have a higher BAC than you actually do. These drugs include, as examples aspirin, a few antibiotics, a few inhalers and asthma medicines, as well as oral gels containing Anbesol.