Alcohol and "blackout excuses"

[student90]

Hello all,

Are alcohol blackouts and the behavior during a blackout are two separate things? Are you are still conscious and fully aware of your actions but not able to store them in your long-term memory?  Doesn't alcohol just reduce your inhibitions and it does not "change" your personality (you just follow instinct and natural impulses) or is it totally different during a blackout?  I know the law states that alcohol is not an excuse for anything.

Thanks!

[S. Earl Martin]

Weather people are still responsible because of the effect of drugs, alcohol, or even Twinkies has been contested in court many times. In most cases I am aware of, the fact that the person chose to take the substance and it wasn't forced on them shows culpability.
Weather the person is under the influence to a degree that they can't remember what happened or if they are completely incapicated means they are intoxicated to a degree that it could be causeing permentant damage physically or even lead to death. Not to mention the consequences of their actions or inactions while under the influence. If someone is intoxicated to this extent repeatedly they probably are an addict and should seek help.

[student90]

I do agree with you.  But I'm looking at this question more in the psychological aspect and not the law. I just was curious if anyone could answer if you are still conscious of what you are doing while blacked out, but just don't remember the events that occurred do to the alcohol tampering the brain. 

[S. Earl Martin]

Levels of consciousness is a term that can mean many things.
Example: When I was growing up my dad had a problem with his weight. He would diet and wouldn't loose anything. Sometimes he would actually gain weight. My mom and I noticed that in the morning dishes that had food would be cleaned and put away and the food gone. So we determined that my dad was getting up at night and eating the food. When confronted he denied it. So I came home late one night and found my dad in the kitchen porking out. I said "Hey dad? What are you doing"? He replied. "Don't bother me I am trying to sleep." He was asleep. I told my mom and she didn't believe me. So the next time I saw him I woke here up and she walked out to the kitchen and said "Your on a diet. What are you doing?" Same response. Don't bother me I am trying to sleep. Finally I duct taped the refrigerator shut. He was so frustrated that it wouldn't open it woke him up.

My point is this. He was fixing the food and cleaning up afterwards, but he was asleep. He wasn't faking it. He had no memory of ever getting out of bed. So in a way he was conscious. Or he couldn't have done the physical tasks, but on the other he had no memory of it. So the answer would be yes and no. More likely semi conscious would be more accurate.