He hasn't drunk for 8 years, but he is drunk - How is it possible?

Mark Monciardo, who lives in the state of Florida, USA, has completely abstained from alcoholic beverages since 2018, yet regularly experiences episodes of intoxication.

Medianews.az reports, citing Bizim.Media, that this information was published by the "New York Post."

According to doctors, the cause is a rare condition called Auto-Brewery Syndrome, in which alcohol is produced inside the human body, especially in the intestines.

According to specialists, there are fewer than 100 such cases worldwide. The essence of the syndrome involves the excessive growth of yeast fungi in the intestines: they ferment carbohydrates and sugars from food into ethanol. As a result, even ordinary foods like bread or sweets can cause an increase in blood alcohol levels.
Monciardo was unable to understand the cause of these symptoms for a long time.

He attributed fatigue, sluggishness, and difficulty concentrating to his busy work schedule as a teacher and coach.

However, over time the episodes worsened: issues such as unclear speech, loss of coordination, and clouded consciousness were observed.

This condition led to serious consequences. The man lost his job and was held responsible twice in the state of New York for driving under the influence. One of these incidents occurred after he had already stopped consuming alcoholic beverages.
Currently, Monciardo follows a strict diet to manage his condition and monitors how various foods affect his body. He regularly checks his blood alcohol level before driving and constantly uses breathalyzers.

Although symptoms persist several times a week, improvements have been noted due to comprehensive treatment and medical supervision.

According to him, receiving the correct diagnosis restored his sense of control over his life:

"The hardest part was the uncertainty. Now I have a plan and I feel like I’m making progress," he said.