He Suffers From Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS), A Rare Condition Where The Body Produces Alcohol.
A Belgian man has been acquitted of drunk driving charges after it was revealed he suffers from auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), a rare condition where the body produces alcohol. His lawyer, Anse Ghesquiere, confirmed that her client, who remains unnamed by local judicial customs, was diagnosed with ABS by three independent doctors. Ghesquiere also noted the “unfortunate coincidence” that her client worked at a brewery.
The judge’s verdict emphasized that the defendant did not exhibit symptoms of intoxication, a key factor in the decision to acquit him. ABS is a condition in which the body produces alcohol, leading to symptoms that can mimic intoxication, such as slurred speech, stumbling, and dizziness. However, individuals with ABS generally feel less of the effects of alcohol compared to those who consume it orally.
The Bruges police court, which issued the acquittal, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the case. ABS is an extremely rare condition, and cases like this highlight the complexities of diagnosing and understanding such medical phenomena.