What was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime quickly turned into a nightmare for 18-year-old Ashley King. The Canadian teen flew to Bali in 2011 for a fun getaway with friends before starting college—but instead, she ended up fighting for her life after a single cocktail.
A Night Out That Changed Everything
King had already endured theft and sickness during her stay in Bali, but it was her final night on the island that left her permanently scarred. She was handed a cocktail served in a plastic water bottle—marketed as “spill-proof for dancing.”
The drink tasted completely normal. “Nothing felt different,” she recalled in an interview with Inside Edition (external link). “I didn’t feel any different kind of drunkness or weird body sensations.”
The next day, after flying to New Zealand, things took a terrifying turn. She felt exhausted, lost her appetite, and became disoriented. At first, she thought the hotel lights were dim—but soon realized she was actually losing her sight.
Ashley King was just 18-years-old when she lost her sight following a night out in Bali (Inside Edition)
The Shocking Diagnosis: Methanol Poisoning
Doctors initially suspected drug use, but blood tests revealed dangerously high levels of methanol, a toxic form of alcohol sometimes added illegally to drinks in parts of Southeast Asia to cut costs.
Methanol poisoning can be deadly. Once metabolized, it makes the blood acidic, damages organs, and can cause blindness or death. According to the World Health Organization (external link), even small amounts can be fatal.
The Unusual Cure: Doctors Told Her to Get Drunk
King’s doctors came up with a bizarre but lifesaving plan: they gave her pure ethanol (regular alcohol) mixed with orange juice. Drinking it in large amounts slowed her body from metabolizing methanol, giving her system time to recover.
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“So, I would finish a drink and then they’d pour me another one,” King said. “It felt like the strangest drinking game ever. But the drunker I got, the more I could breathe and the more I could see.”
Her vision slowly returned, and her breathing stabilized. But doctors still warned her family in Canada to get on the first flight to New Zealand—her condition was that critical.
A Warning for All Travelers
Ashley survived, but not without a powerful lesson. Methanol poisoning continues to be a risk for tourists in Southeast Asia, especially in popular nightlife spots. Drinks sold in unsealed bottles or unusually cheap cocktails may be unsafe.
Travel Safety Tips:
- Avoid drinks served in unsealed bottles.
- Buy alcohol from reputable bars, hotels, or shops.
- Be cautious of cocktails served in plastic bottles.
- If symptoms like blurred vision, nausea, or confusion appear, seek medical help immediately.
King now shares her story as a warning to other travelers: that one “fun night out” can have devastating consequences.
For more resources on staying safe while traveling abroad, check out the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (external link).
