ABSTRACT

A chronic alcoholic presented several times to our emergency department with palpitations and flushing when consuming less than his normal amount of alcohol. Only after his fourth visit, upon close questioning of his family, was the diagnosis made: his mother was covertly adding disulfuram to his food in attempt to get him to stop drinking. Because alcoholism in just one member affects the whole family, a careful history of events should from all family members for clues to a patient’s diagnosis.