Originally Posted by zen_tom

Your inhibitions are reduced sure, but those things you did are the same things you always wanted to do.

Things like sleeping with that girl, or punching that guy, or telling that home-truth, or whatever - all of those things are what you WANTED to do. You probably wouldn't dream of expressing those thoughts, which is where the beer kicks in.

So, if the shame of whatever action is based on whether you would admit to secretly wanting to perform that action, then being drunk is no excuse.

If the shame comes from the expression of a desire we are all quite happy to admit to having, but which we suppress for various reasons, then *maybe* being drunk is an excuse.

However, people getting drunk because it gives them the feeling of freedom to act with impunity really is a dangerous thing to do. So if in doubt, hold them responsible. What's the alternative? Taking Budweiser to court with a class action suit?