Last week in Laos, a group of tourists suffered from poisoning caused by low-quality alcohol, resulting in six fatalities.
What could connect relatively distant, impoverished communist Laos and flourishing Bali? One link is counterfeit alcohol, which is present and sold in significant quantities in Indonesia. There is a sizable market for arak and homemade cocktails based on it. Cases of mass and individual poisonings occur periodically across Indonesia, including Bali.
Counterfeit alcohol doesn’t necessarily mean it contains methanol, but the risk increases significantly. Typically, consuming poor-quality alcohol leads to unpleasant but reversible consequences. Feeling unwell for several days after drinking may be a result of counterfeit alcohol. However, methanol—a highly toxic substance sometimes found in counterfeit drinks—can be lethal even in small amounts, such as a single shot.
One of the non-lethal outcomes is blindness. For example, Ashley King, an American, almost lost her eyesight after having a cocktail at a bar in Kuta. She reported feeling fine initially but began to feel unwell later that night. Her condition worsened over two days, and by the time she reached New Zealand, she was in critical condition: “When I got to my accommodation, I went to sleep. When I woke up, the lighting in the hostel seemed dim, which I attributed to cheap light bulbs. But within 10 minutes, I couldn’t breathe and was gasping for air.” Doctors saved her life, but her vision is now only 2% functional.
Severe cases like this are rare but still occur almost every year. Becky Coy, an Australian, planned a family vacation in Bali, but half a glass of a cocktail ruined everything. She soon experienced dizziness, nausea, and a severe headache, describing it as if “someone was stirring her brain with a spoon.” She also suffered partial amnesia due to the toxins. Fortunately, her condition improved after she returned to Australia the next day for immediate treatment, where methanol poisoning was diagnosed. Becky is grateful she only drank half of her cocktail.
In 2022, British tourist Christie McKee died from methanol poisoning. Hospitals in Bali frequently treat tourists with symptoms like acute abdominal pain, dizziness, and vision problems—common indicators of poisoning.
Despite the efforts of Bali’s re-elected governor, Wayan Koster, to promote local alcohol like arak Bali, homemade drinks should be approached with caution.
To avoid such incidents, follow these simple rules:
• Avoid local spirits, especially arak and suspicious homemade infusions.
• Purchase alcohol only from reputable and sealed sources in large stores or chains.
• Inspect the packaging, color, and smell of the drink. Methanol has a sharp smell and bitter taste.
If arak is one of your favorite drinks, opt for products from large manufacturers. These are more expensive but safer and come with excise seals.
The most accurate safeguard would be a litmus test, but these are not readily available in Indonesia.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning to watch for include:
• Early signs resembling drunkenness, with intoxication levels disproportionate to the amount consumed.
• Severe symptoms (usually within 12–24 hours):
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Vision problems (blindness, dilated pupils, flashes of light, tunnel vision, color changes, blurred vision)
• Seizures
While poisoning cases remain rare, the chances of encountering counterfeit alcohol are low. Nevertheless, the best way to avoid any issues with alcohol remains sobriety.
Stay healthy and enjoy only high-quality drinks!
Sources: mamamia, independent
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