In an unusual case, a Belgian man has been acquitted of drunk driving charges from 2022 because he suffers from a rare metabolic condition called auto-brewery syndrome (ABS). This syndrome causes the body to essentially produce alcohol on its own by fermenting carbohydrates in the stomach, leading to elevated blood alcohol levels.
The man was pulled over twice within one month in 2022 and registered breathalyzer results above Belgium's legal limit on both occasions. However, three independent doctors confirmed his diagnosis of ABS after examining him.
While the man had previously received a fine and license suspension for drunk driving in 2019 before realizing he had ABS, the judge in the latest case noted that he does not actually experience symptoms of intoxication during ABS episodes. Potential symptoms can include slurred speech, loss of motor function, dizziness, and burping.
In what his lawyer called an "unfortunate coincidence," the man also happens to work at a brewery. ABS is an extremely rare condition, with only around 20 confirmed cases worldwide. It is not present at birth but can develop if other intestinal issues are present.
To manage his ABS, the man has adopted a low-carb diet to limit the amount of alcohol his body produces. While acquitted legally, his condition underscores the need for greater awareness around rare metabolic disorders that can mimic intoxication.