The Truth About the "Vodka Tampon" Trend

From Tide PODS to vodka-soaked tampons, it seems like young people are always finding new and risky ways to experiment. But is the "vodka tampon" phenomenon real, or just another internet myth? Let's examine the facts.

What Are "Vodka Tampons" and "Alcohol Enemas"?

Unfortunately, these terms mean exactly what they sound like. An idea has circulated online that soaking a tampon in alcohol and inserting it (either vaginally or rectally) can lead to rapid intoxication. This practice is sometimes called "slimming," while alcohol enemas are also known as "butt-chugging" or "boofing."

Proponents claim this method offers several benefits, but none hold up to scrutiny:

• Avoiding alcohol breath: While alcohol absorbed through these routes doesn't immediately appear on your breath, once it enters your bloodstream, it will eventually be exhaled, creating detectable alcohol breath.
• Beating breathalyzers: Breathalyzers measure alcohol in your bloodstream, regardless of how it got there. This method won't help you cheat the test.
• Skipping calories: Alcohol calories come from ethanol, which is absorbed no matter how you consume it.
• Avoiding hangovers: Any method that introduces significant alcohol into your system can lead to a hangover.

Other Dangerous Drinking Trends

Young people have experimented with various unconventional drinking methods over the years:

• Beer bongs: A classic method that allows rapid consumption but makes it easy to overdo it.
• Smoking alcohol: Vaping alcohol vapor can cause rapid intoxication and potential brain damage.
• BORG drinking: "Blackout rage gallons" containing hard liquor, water, and electrolytes have become popular on college campuses.
• Drunk gummy bears: Alcohol-soaked candy that can be consumed discreetly.
• Hand sanitizer: Despite its toxicity, some people drink it for the alcohol content.
• Eyeballing: Pouring alcohol directly into the eye, which can cause serious damage.

These methods share common dangers: they aim for rapid intoxication, bypass the body's natural defenses, make it hard to measure consumption, and often involve toxic ingredients.

Is Anyone Actually Doing This?

While the alcohol enema trend gained attention through shows like Jackass, research suggests few people actually engage in these practices. A Journal of American College Health study found that "alternative forms of alcohol use" are rare among college students, with only 1.1% of surveyed students reporting lifetime use. Healthline notes there are no documented cases of "slimming," suggesting that if it were common, hospital reports would exist.

Does It Even Work?

Practically speaking, inserting an alcohol-soaked tampon would be messy and inefficient. Tampons are designed to absorb liquid after insertion, not before. Most of the alcohol would likely be squeezed out during insertion. However, a study from Medellín, Colombia, suggested that vaginal alcohol consumption could lead to faster intoxication if successfully administered.

Serious Health Risks

Even if it works, this method is extremely dangerous:

• Alcohol poisoning risk increases since the body can't expel alcohol through vomiting
• Alcohol's acidity can burn and damage sensitive mucous membranes
• Case reports describe serious complications like ischemic colitis requiring hospitalization

Safer Alternatives and Support

Instead of dangerous drinking methods, consider these healthier approaches:

• Reflect on your drinking patterns: If you frequently seek rapid intoxication, examine your relationship with alcohol.
• Get support: Surround yourself with people who support healthy choices. The 24/7 Quitemate Forum offers community support for those reconsidering their alcohol use.
• Explore other options: Sober activities like hiking, yoga, or dance classes can be rewarding and help you meet like-minded people.

Conclusion

Your health and happiness should always come first. Don't feel pressured to follow dangerous trends. As Steve Maraboli wrote, "The way you live your day is a sentence in the story of your life." You have the power to choose what you put in your body and what direction your life takes.