A rare disorder can cause your body to produce alcohol.
The dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are well known to most Californians, with public information campaigns having brought awareness to the serious consequences that can result from driving while impaired. What many people may not realize, however, is that there are number of medical conditions — and even diets — that can cause your body to produce alcohol and register false positives on tests meant to determine if you have been drinking and driving. This can lead to false positives on DUI tests — and arrests for driving under the influence when a person is perfectly sober.
This occurrence has become known as auto brewery syndrome, which is a relatively rare condition where a person produces alcohol within his or her own body. If you have the condition, your body may not process foods that are high in carbohydrates — such as fruits, pastas, breads and more — in a normal manner. Instead, these foods ferment in your gut, which can produce alcohol. You may exhibit symptoms of drunkenness even though you haven’t consumed any alcohol whatsoever, such as feeling dizzy or lightheaded. Some sufferers say that their memory is negatively impacted by auto brewery syndrome, or that they experience hangovers when they consume foods that are high in carbohydrates. Switching to a low carbohydrate, high protein diet can often help these issues, as can reducing stress, making sure that you get enough sleep and eliminating certain other factors, such as specific antibiotics, that can cause your body to produce alcohol.
If you have auto brewery syndrome, when you are pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence, you may be asked to take a roadside breathalyzer test. If you are not currently under DUI probation or under the age of 21, you are not required to take this test. But if you do take the test or are arrested and take the required post-arrest blood or breath test, then it may show that you are intoxicated despite you never consuming any alcohol. This may be due to the way that your body processes carbohydrates. A skilled DUI lawyer in Orange County, CA can use the fact of your medical condition to defend you against these charges.
Currently, there is not much research on auto brewery syndrome in the United States. However, it may be a condition that impacts a number of people, including those with Celiac disease and those with a sensitive to gluten and other wheat products. An experienced DUI lawyer in Orange County can work with you to determine if auto brewery syndrome contributed to a false positive test result.
At the Chambers Law Firm, our attorneys are skilled at representing people who have been charged with DUIs and other crimes. We are knowledgable about auto brewery syndrome and other types of medical conditions that may lead to false positive breath and blood test results, and will fight to have your charges dismissed or reduced due to these false test results. Contact our office today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation and learn more about how we can help if you have been charged with a DUI in Orange County or the surrounding areas.
