Good Time Gone Bad at Tennessee Fraternity

There was a disturbing story in the news recently about Alexander Broughton, a young college fraternity member who was hospitalized with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of  .45.  This is five times the legal limit and could have ended Broughton’s life.

Now, here comes the disturbing part.  The young man had reportedly reached that .45 BAC as a result of “butt-chugging” wine.  This “butt-chugging” or “alcohol enema” is the practice of ingesting alcohol through a hose that is inserted into the anus.  With this form of consumption the alcohol is absorbed directly into the blood stream and results in getting very drunk very quickly.

Broughton has denied this narrative through his lawyer, Daniel McGehee, stating, “Mr. Broughton denies each and every allegation whatsoever that has been inferred that he may have been a gay man.  He is a straight man.  And he thinks the idea and concept of butt chugging is repulsive.”  When asked to describe what did happen that night, the Broughton responded, “It’s a long story.”

It seems this situation cannot blow over quickly enough for the young man, who likely just wants to get on with his life.  However, it is important to report incidents of abuse no matter how humiliating.  Sexual abuse is no laughing matter and those who commit such heinous acts should be dealt a heavy-handed punishment.

Despite the lack of facts, do you think this was an instance of hazing?