Is it right to blame alcohol drinking for bad behavior?

Question

It seems to be the fashionable thing to do these days, Rush Limbaugh, Mel Gibson and Mark Foley did it.

Answer 1

It has become fashionable to do so, and although alcohol or drugs often lead to the bad behavior, the main reason is that they remove the "inhibitors" that keep people from doing things they wouldn't otherwise do. However, I cannot imagine a drug making someone do something they would NEVER do, because obviously they would do it in some situation because they DID do it.

Answer 2

Even if the alchohol abuse contributed to the bad behavior, no one made them drink. That was a decision they can't blame on anyone or anything else.

People do NOT want to take responsibility for their own actions. They will find ANY way to shift the blame onto others or onto something 'beyond their control'. The 3 people you mention are good examples of this.

Answer 3

Some culture/societies mark it as a sign of emotional stability that a man (in the cases I speak of) is able to thoroughly let go of his emotions in a drunken frenzy, and when he is not drunk, exert complete self-control. (But of course if he wreaks havoc while under the influence, he is responsible for putting it right). So the imbibing of alcohol is the vehicle of bad behavior, but it does not erase the responsibility for the actions perpetrated while under its influence. Those who claim the "under the influence" excuse are often just trying to escape taking responsibility for their actions. Drunk or not, one must take responsibility. But that does not mean one cannot get drunk and "let go." Just be ready to own up!

Answer 4

You can't entirely blame alcohol for bad behavior. But people shouldn't drink if they are going to behave badly.

Answer 5

Not if they already KNOW they behave badly when they do drink