They Get Drunk Without Drinking
The New York Times • • health
Key Points:
- In 2019, Mark Mongiardo, a high school athletic director, was arrested for drunk driving in Sullivan County, N.Y., despite not having consumed any alcohol that evening; a breathalyzer showed his blood alcohol content at .18 percent.
- Mongiardo’s episodes of unexplained intoxication began decades earlier, with colleagues and players frequently noting the smell of alcohol on him since the early 2000s.
- In 2016, he failed a surprise urine test for alcohol and was required to attend counseling, leading him to leave his school district due to concerns about his reputation.
- His condition affected his personal life as well, with family members witnessing symptoms of intoxication during alcohol-free events, causing misunderstandings and strain within his household.
- Mongiardo insists he was not drinking or being deceitful during these episodes, which often left him with foggy memories and unexplained signs of intoxication.
