During the last week, the news in Knoxville has focused on an unbelievably stupid or ignorant act by a University of Tennessee fraternity member who, on September 22nd, allegedly “consumed” alcohol by inserting a tube in his rectum and then pouring alcohol into the tube. the student denied taking this action, but the University of Tennessee Police investigators found evidence of this action. While few reports of similar incidents are made, this method of becoming intoxicated has been around for years.
Some even pour alcohol into a two liter container attached to the tube and then step on the container to cause the alcohol to be forced into the rectum. Women have also been known to soaked tampons and alcohol before inserting them into their vagina. Others attempt to become intoxicated by pouring alcoholic beverages directly into their eyes. Obviously, the risk of physical injury to one’s body is extremely high with this type of behavior.
The presumed reason for engaging in this behavior is that such methods cause a person to become intoxicated very quickly. The University of Tennessee’s student was unresponsive when taken to the hospital to be treated for alcohol poisoning. His blood alcohol was reported to be nearly .45 percent blood alcohol content. experts generally agree that a blood-alcohol content level in excess of .40 percent impairs a person’s breathing and heart to the extent that it may cause unconsciousness or death.
In reporting this incident, CNN interviewed Atlanta gastroenterologist Dr. Preston Stewart who stated, “Our stomachs and livers have an enzyme known as alcohol dehydrogenase that breaks down ethanol to make it less toxic for our bodies. The lower gastrointestinal tract doesn’t have that enzyme, so alcohol molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of the colon.
Eventually the alcohol would still make its way to the liver, Stewart said, but the high alcohol content would overwhelm the organ. ‘It’s extremely dangerous.'” The complete article may be found at http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/26/health/alcohol-enemas/index.html
All of the contributors to this blog are unanimous in their efforts to try to prevent anyone becoming injured or ill is the result of alcohol or any other intoxicant. Many, including myself, spent hours each year attempting to educate the public about the dangers of over indulging. Our focus is to protect the rights of American citizens and to question factual and scientific evidence which is too often found to be inaccurate.
If you need to consult with a DUI defense attorney in Tennessee, contact Oberman & Rice, Trial Attorneys at (865) 249-7200. Our law firm is consistently top-rated in surveys of attorneys and consumers.
