Kenyan Teens Involment in Alcohol enemas, also called “butt-chugging” or “boofing,” involve inserting alcoholic drinks into the rectum through the anus to bypass the body’s metabolizing processes.

What to know about alcohol enemas

Alcohol enemas, also called “butt-chugging” or “boofing,” involve inserting alcoholic drinks into the rectum through the anus to bypass the body’s metabolizing processes.

People may consume alcohol this way to experience its effects faster, to avoid vomiting, or due to peer pressure. However, individuals may still be at risk of alcohol poisoning and overdose if they ingest alcohol this way.

This article discusses the purpose of alcohol enemas, what to expect after the procedure, safety precautions to consider, and when to seek emergency help.

Procedure
Enemas involve inserting a liquid or gas into the rectum, often through a tube. In this case, people would pour alcohol through the tube, bypassing theTrusted Source liver, which would usually filter it.

As a result, a person’s blood alcohol levels may rise higher and faster than they would if they drank the same amount of alcohol.

Some people may attempt an alcohol enema alone, while others may do it as part of social drinking or drinking games.

What to expect after
According to a 2019 articleTrusted Source, people may experience the following symptoms after performing alcohol enemas:

a burning or stinging sensation in the anus
black feces due to gastrointestinal bleeding
a frequent urge to defecate without being able to
Alcohol enemas may causeTrusted Source a higher concentration of blood ethanol, which may make someone feel drunk faster than if they drank the same amount of alcohol.

Risks
Enemas allow alcohol to bypass the liver and stomach, letting the body absorb it into the bloodstream and through the colon’s lining without the body breaking it down.

This can lead to a higher blood alcohol concentration, increasing the risk of alcohol poisoning and central nervous system depression.

According to a 2019 articleTrusted Source, alcohol enemas may pose the following additional risks:

gastrointestinal bleeding
edema, swelling due to trapped fluid
ulcers in the intestinal tract
colon erosion
Safety precautions
Alcohol enemas pose health risks, including a higher likelihood of alcohol poisoning. However, if someone is going to attempt it, the following precautions may make the experience safer:

Choose a low strength alcohol: Enemas allow alcohol to enter the bloodstream without metabolization, so a lower alcohol content is necessary to feel intoxication.
Insert the alcohol gradually: Since people may experience faster effects, they need to use less alcohol than they would consume orally.
Get assistance: Get help from at least one person who is sober and can recognize the signs of alcohol poisoning and call for emergency assistance if necessary.
When to get medical help
People may be less likely to vomit after taking alcohol enemas. However, their bodies cannot process the alcohol and purge any excess.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)Trusted Source lists the following symptoms of alcohol overdose:

passing out
confusion
seizures
clammy skin
slow or irregular breathing
slow heart rate
dulled responses, including no gag reflex
low body temperature
pale or bluish skin
If someone shows these symptoms after ingesting alcohol orally or anally, people need to seek emergency medical help.

Getting support with alcohol consumption
If people are concerned about their alcohol consumption, the following list includes helplines and organizations that can provide free support:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline
NIAAA Alcohol Treatment NavigatorTrusted Source
Drinkaware support lines
Centre for Addiction and Mental Healt