# Anal Absorption of Alcohol **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 14, 2010, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868 "2010-01-14T01:50:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/1 "2010-01-14T01:50:04Z")
So, I know the body can absorb alcohol through the anus. I know this is potentially a dangerous activity, since it would be easy to overdose or take too much too fast this way. But assuming a person is careful to measure the dosage and administer it in a moderate, controlled way - is there any other potential danger? Infection? And presumably, any calories that one would usually have to metabolize by drinking the alcohol would be irrelevant when taken rectally (or would they?). If that’s true, why _not_ take alcohol up the rear as a way to keep your diet on track? ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/2 "2010-01-14T02:01:35Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > So, I know the body can absorb alcohol through the anus. I know this is potentially a dangerous activity, since it would be easy to overdose or take too much too fast this way. > > But assuming a person is careful to measure the dosage and administer it in a moderate, controlled way - is there any other potential danger? Infection? I wouldn’t think infection. Maybe irritation, colitis, something like that. > [@](#): > > And presumably, any calories that one would usually have to metabolize by drinking the alcohol would be irrelevant when taken rectally (or would they?). If that’s true, why _not_ take alcohol up the rear as a way to keep your diet on track? Pure alcohol itself has calories, which will enter your bloodstream as surely as if you’d drunk it. So if you were to use vodka, which is basically alcohol and water, you can assume 100% caloric absorption. Wine and beer contain carbohydrates in addition to alcohol. You’d absorb the alcohol calories but not the carbs. ---
**Author:** ![misterW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/3 "2010-01-14T03:07:44Z")
Passing a bottle around with your friends might become a bit awkward should you decide to adopt this method. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/4 "2010-01-14T03:15:18Z")
The Mayans were apparently somewhat fond of imbibing their alcohol via enema rather than drinking it. Europeans used to take “tobacco enemas” which was basically someone blowing smoke up someone else’s ass. So the notion of intoxicating oneself via the nether regions had not only occurred to people but has actually been practiced. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/5 "2010-01-14T03:31:14Z")
> [@misterW](#): > > Passing a bottle around with your friends might become a bit awkward should you decide to adopt this method. Not to mention buying a round of shots at the bar. (salt and lime?) ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/6 "2010-01-14T03:48:34Z")
> [@misterW](#): > > Passing a bottle around with your friends might become a bit awkward should you decide to adopt this method. And barstools would have to undergo major design changes. ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/7 "2010-01-14T04:43:40Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > The Mayans were apparently somewhat fond of imbibing their alcohol via enema rather than drinking it. Europeans used to take “tobacco enemas” which was basically someone blowing smoke up someone else’s ass. So the notion of intoxicating oneself via the nether regions had not only occurred to people but has actually been practiced. Oh for crying out loud. Really?!? “Jim, now remember that I’m just throwing this around the room and call me crazy, but I have an idea.” ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/8 "2010-01-14T04:51:17Z")
> [@postcards](#): > > And barstools would have to undergo major design changes. Friendly bar patrons would offer to help push your stool in. sorry ---
**Author:** ![Vambo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/6de8d8/32.png) [@Vambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vambo)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/9 "2010-01-14T04:59:17Z")
Too sucky to inject it right into your blood stream eh? :rolleyes: Would you still develop a taste for it? ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/10 "2010-01-14T09:40:34Z")
> [@misterW](#): > > Passing a bottle around with your friends might become a bit awkward should you decide to adopt this method. Especially if you’re the one guy that swigs from the bottle while your friends, ah, don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/11 "2010-01-14T11:22:48Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > The Mayans were apparently somewhat fond of imbibing their alcohol via enema rather than drinking it. Europeans used to take “tobacco enemas” which was basically someone blowing smoke up someone else’s ass. So the notion of intoxicating oneself via the nether regions had not only occurred to people but has actually been practiced. > [@Shamozzle](#): > > Oh for crying out loud. Really?!? Yes. Really. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/12 "2010-01-14T12:49:04Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > So, I know the body can absorb alcohol through the anus. I know this is potentially a dangerous activity, since it would be easy to overdose or take too much too fast this way. This bears reiteration. The thing about imbibing alcohol in the usual way is that the absorption into the bloodstream is slower and if levels get too high (and let’s not forget that alcohol is a poison) the body has a safety mechanism (vomiting). With anal absorption, the alcohol goes into the bloodstream much faster and if you cross the danger threshold there’s not a lot you can do about it. You can’t even get your stomach pumped. Dan Savage talked about this in his podcast not all that long ago (which is why I mention the above - I’ve never had any desire at all to do butt shots myself) and said that basically it’s a really dumb thing to do and at the absolute most you shouldn’t do anything stronger than heavily diluted wine. As for other problems, Savage didn’t mention them but remember that alcohol can dry out and irritate tissues, and obviously the usual cautions about however and whatever you’re using to get the booze in there apply. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/13 "2010-01-14T13:08:49Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > But assuming a person is careful to measure the dosage and administer it in a moderate, controlled way - is there any other potential danger? I’d not look forward to twisting off the bottlecap. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/14 "2010-01-14T13:26:35Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > I’d not look forward to twisting off the bottlecap. That’s nothing. Try uncorking the champagne. ---
**Author:** ![vifslan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f4b2a3/32.png) [@vifslan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vifslan)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/15 "2010-01-14T14:01:28Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > The Mayans were apparently somewhat fond of imbibing their alcohol via enema rather than drinking it. Europeans used to take “tobacco enemas” which was basically someone blowing smoke up someone else’s ass. So the notion of intoxicating oneself via the nether regions had not only occurred to people but has actually been practiced. To be fair, one of the main uses of tobacco enemas was resuscitation of drowning victims. Mouth to mouth was apparently seen as too risky. (source, mom and dad’s first aid book, which had a history section as well.) ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/16 "2010-01-14T14:18:44Z")
First I’m thinking this is a really dumb question; then the Mayans; then the Europeans - Damn?? My “ignorance fought” dose of the Dope just overflowed for today. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/17 "2010-01-14T14:23:02Z")
There’s a video out there (probably more than one) of a woman recording herself giving herself a big wine enema, getting drunk from it, stumbling around, and then squatting on a toilet for the inevitable result. She’s so drunk her feet keep slipping off the toilet seat into the bowl, and she keeps missing the bowl mid-evacuation & it goes all over the place. It’s amazing what people will record themselves doing. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/18 "2010-01-14T15:52:43Z")
Anal absorption of alcohol can be very dangerous, even lethal. [Woman indicted for giving fatal sherry enema](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6907859/) This is only one of several alcohol enema deaths I’ve heard about in Texas (charges were dropped, if you’re curious). ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/19 "2010-01-14T19:56:57Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > Anal absorption of alcohol can be very dangerous, even lethal. > > [Woman indicted for giving fatal sherry enema](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6907859/) > > This is only one of several alcohol enema deaths I’ve heard about in Texas (charges were dropped, if you’re curious). Right, but the risk of OD is the very first thing I acknowledged in my OP. It seems there is no other real danger if one is careful. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868/20 "2010-01-14T20:02:13Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > There’s a video out there (probably more than one) of a woman recording herself giving herself a big wine enema, getting drunk from it, stumbling around, and then squatting on a toilet for the inevitable result. She’s so drunk her feet keep slipping off the toilet seat into the bowl, and she keeps missing the bowl mid-evacuation & it goes all over the place. It’s amazing what people will record themselves doing. Rule 34. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-absorption-of-alcohol/524868.md?page=2)