How Can One Test Positive For Alcohol Without Consuming Any?

Posted on Mon, 12 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 12 Jan 2015 Answered on

Tue, 10 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My name is XXXX. I have been prescribed Hydroxyzine by my Doctor at the Veterans Administration. In September I had some side effects while being stopped by the law. I passed the breath alcohol test but traces of Alcahol showed up in my blood and yet I had consumed no alcohol. Can someone with knowledge of this medication let me know how that may happen. My Doctor is not knowledgable enough to advise me on this matter.

Thank You,
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Due to auto - brewery syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
Welcome to HCM and thanks for your very interesting query.
Your testing positive for alcohol without drinking alcohol is due to Auto-brewery syndrome, also known as gut fermentation syndrome. It is a rare medical condition in which significant quantities of alcohol are produced through endogenous fermentation within the digestive system. Numerous cases have been documented in the medical literature. One gastrointestinal organism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been identified as a pathogen for this condition.
In such a situation the sedative effect from Hydroxyzine is increased leading to the suspicion of being inebriated.
Take care,
Dr Noble Zachariah

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar