“Beezing,” or the use of alcohol tampons, is a method of substance misuse that involves bypassing the body’s natural defenses against alcohol. This practice is associated with a range of health risks, primarily stemming from the rapid and uncontrolled absorption of high-concentration alcohol into the bloodstream. The method is often mistakenly believed to offer a faster or more discreet way to become intoxicated, but it elevates the risk of life-threatening complications, including acute alcohol poisoning and localized tissue damage.
How the Practice Is Executed
The term “beezing” most commonly refers to the use of highly concentrated alcohol, such as vodka or other spirits, soaked into an absorbent material like a tampon. The alcohol-saturated tampon is then inserted into a highly vascularized orifice, typically the rectum or the vagina, as a means of administration.
This method is also sometimes referred to by other slang terms, including “sliming” or “vodka tamponing.” Users attempt to achieve intoxication quickly while avoiding the taste of the alcohol. The practice is often attempted with the mistaken belief that it may help a person avoid detection by breathalyzer tests, which measure alcohol exhaled from the lungs.
The Physiology of Rapid Alcohol Absorption
When alcohol is consumed orally, it is first processed through the gastrointestinal tract, where its absorption rate is slowed by food and metabolic enzymes. A significant portion of the alcohol is metabolized by enzymes in the stomach and liver before it enters the general bloodstream, a process known as first-pass metabolism. This initial metabolic step helps to reduce the peak Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) that eventually reaches the brain.
The practice of “beezing” bypasses the protective first-pass metabolism entirely by introducing alcohol through the mucous membranes of the rectum or vagina. These tissues are thin and highly vascularized, quickly absorbing substances directly into the systemic circulation. Because the alcohol does not pass through the stomach or liver first, there is no initial breakdown by enzymes, and the body loses the protective mechanism that limits the concentration of alcohol reaching the bloodstream.
This direct absorption leads to a much faster and higher spike in BAC than would be achieved by drinking the same amount of alcohol. The rapid influx of alcohol into the blood can overwhelm the central nervous system almost instantly. This mechanism eliminates the body’s natural warning signs of overconsumption, such as stomach irritation or nausea, creating an unpredictable route to intoxication.
Immediate and Long-Term Dangers
The most immediate danger of this practice is the high risk of acute alcohol poisoning or overdose. The uncontrolled and rapid rise in Blood Alcohol Concentration makes it difficult for the user to gauge their level of intoxication, leading to a quick progression to life-threatening levels. The body’s natural defense mechanism against alcohol poisoning, which is vomiting, is entirely bypassed by this method of administration.
Alcohol poisoning can rapidly lead to respiratory depression, where breathing slows or stops, as well as seizures, coma, and death. Exposure to high-concentration alcohol also causes localized tissue damage to the delicate mucous membranes. This can result in chemical burns, inflammation, and tearing of the vaginal or rectal lining.
In the long term, repeated irritation and damage to these tissues can lead to chronic inflammation, scarring, and an increased susceptibility to serious infections. The disruption of the natural bacterial balance in the vagina or rectum can also lead to issues like bacterial vaginosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. The practice also carries the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) due to the use of a high-absorbency foreign object inserted for an extended period, which provides an ideal environment for harmful bacterial growth.