Should One Post When Intoxicated?

I'm sure that the vast majority of PC'ers wouldn't DREAM of doing what I do, which is, now and then (not all the time) to post on PC while the effects of alcohol (or other intoxicants) still lay their evil tentacles over their minds. Most people, including me, would prefer (I'm sure) posting while they are fresh, clear and not under the influence of mind-affecting substances. But now and then it happens. After a few drinks, one feels inspired and ready to share one's new insights with fellow PC members. A temptation hard to resist. I cannot gainsay anyone who may conclude that my evening posts are perhaps more lush than those made in the daytime. Should there be a rule about this? Should those such as I be encouraged not to post while inspired by substances? Personally, I cannot imagine that PC's prior hundreds of thousands of posts are free of the inspiring taint of intoxicants. It may well be true, but I find it very hard to believe. I will myself plead guilty of such and throw myself on the mercy of the court. Nor, to me, does it matter very much whether PC people post here under the influence of their own prescription drugs or of other, more lowly, substances such as Budweiser, Gallo wine, or cheap brandy. Not, of course, to mention various varieties of cannabis or more sophisticated chemicals. I myelf can speak very highly of a combination of Ocean Spray Cranberry-Raspberry juice and Stock brandy from Italy (worth far more than its current price would lead one to believe).

But the question is: is it wise to post under the influence of such things? And further, should it be permitted? We in this country have such a long history of moralistic hissy-fits when it comes to chemically induced inspiration that I'd probably expect most of you to say that only pure PC members may actively participate. PC members who have not tasted of the grape of the vine. At least within memory. Are we that bad? Are we to continue the wildly moralistic history of our poor country here on PC?

Myself, I vote for Free Posting, in whatever mental state we may find ourselves. All is grist for the PC mill and every opinion should be read, evaluated and taken into account. As with doctors writing professional articles, all possible sources of outside influence should be disclosed. In our case here on PC, I believe that if we're under the influence of any intoxicant whatsoever, disclosure should be made.

What say you all to this? Should there be a rule? Should this entire post be buried in oblivion? Has this issue ever been dealt with before?

Your sincere opinions are most sedulously requested. Take care!

I think it should be up to you to be accountable for your actions...the consequences/reprcusions..or possibly lack there of...for posting while intoxicated should be a lesson in itself...there's only so much "babysitting" one get's in their lifetime than it's time to grow up and be accountable/responsible for oneself

Personally, I tend to get very philosophical, obstinate and morbidly hilarious when under the influence. I also can be very cynical

If I were to post in this state, I would either be booted off the forums and for very good reason, or I would be loved beyond measure I have a hard enough time making sense without the use of depressants or stimulants.

As irl, we live with the consequences of our actions, be them good or bad, and for me, my actions are the same online. I do not like the idea of "unfettered cognition" in public It has led to many embarrassing moments.

Take care,

Michah

I don't think there's any way of knowing if someone's under the influence. I remember reading some where in the guidelines or chat rules that it's stated....maybe someone can help me out lol. Personally I don't drink, since alcoholism runs on my family.

I saw this subject discussed on TV the other day, calling it drunk while texting lol. I think someone was even thinking about a program(for Facebook I think), that could sense words being typed wrong lol. I think a person under the influence could end up embarrassing themselves just like in real life. I wonder how many exes have received that middle of the night text.

So, racee, if I understand correctly, your position is that posting in any state of mind is okay unless such posts are obviously bad or wrong, in which case the poster will feel the general negative judgment of the community in reaction to such post and cease from such posting in the future. Nicht wahr? Would it be fair to say that you're just against "bad" posts, from wherever the "badness" comes? Take care!

Hmmm I know you're not allowed in the chat rooms under the influence....have you checked the new guidelines about this? I know it doesn't stop people from being able to post (however cognitive they may be) but it does stop them from being able to accept support, imo.

You're quite right in my view, Michah, it's a choice for all of us. And it's really a matter of what each of us is comfortable with. You "do not like the idea of 'unfettered cognition' in public." So you will avoid it. Each of us in that respect must choose for ourselves. Would you agree that each of us must decide on the probable value of our potential posts considering the state of mind we may be in at the time of composition? For me, there are times when I'm so blue that I just don't want to communicate anything. Would you agree? Take care!

Hey, JD! Where are those guidelines? Take care!

First, thanks for the tip about the cheap brandy
I didn't know about not being allowed in chat while drunk. Sensible rule but not enforceable. All you can do realistically is try to police the actual behaviour of people. If someone is a chilled and friendly drunk, there should be no problem. If they are abusive, then their sobriety is irrelevant.
As far as posting goes, people should be taking the advice of strangers with a large pinch of salt in any case. I would think if a poster gets abusive, they will probably be sorted out by the general community even before the mods get to them.

Y, i usually find your posts quite interesting and insightful but i have to say that i find this thread to be really triggering...and i'm not from an alcoholic family. unfortunately, drunkenness and abuse go hand in hand in many cases so this thread seems really insensitive to those that have that in their background. the grinning emoticon just sort of seems wildly inappropriate to me... i'm sure you didn't intend for that though...

Ygrec, you asked about the community guidelines. You can find them here:

http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=3643

As for posting or entering chat under the influence... when you enter chat it specificly says you can be banned from the site for entering chat under the influence.

Personally I would avoid posting while under the influence. That's just my personal opinion though. Should it be against the rules? IMHO it's about personal responsibility. If a person's post under the influence are appropriate to the site I don't see a problem with it. If posts are inappropriate, whatever the circumstances there should be consequences for the poster.

Agreed. Take care!

I'm very sorry that you have taken my post in that way, and deplore that you have found it triggering. Your point of view is quite correct, as I see now, and I agree with you. I most certainly did not intend to affect any PC member in a shocking, triggering or negative way. I'll let this thread peter out on its own (which should happen very shortly) and not contribute to it again. Again, I'm sorry for whatever distress you or others may have been caused by this thread. It will never happen again with my participation. Take care.

I would say no because when you are intoxicated you dont know what you are doing thats just lke me driving drunk on the road and I know that Iam drunk and hit somone or kill someone on the road.

If I can drive while I'm intoxicated, I can darn well post when I'm intoxiciated!

No, not what the community will think but what the poster will think when they are sober and reread what they posted...i'm all about freedom of speech..post whatever you feel even if i don't agree, or get's people angry because people choose their emotion to be had so one could choose to look over posts they don't like...or try to see things from that posters point of view. or whatnot.

so basically if you say something whole intoxicated or not just don't be embarassed about it and own it....personally for me i regret nothing i say because i wouldn't have said it unless i meant it...an any state of mind!

I don't know if this is on topic but the only thing that truly annoys me about forums/chat sites is when someone posts about something/subject and someone has a bad taste in their mouth about it and has to let the poster and everyone lese know and won't let things go...it is everyone's right to an opinion, but you can also choose to say what you need in relevance to the post and go about your day..don't get hung up on one little thing...this is the internet and these people are not in our lives.

drunk or suffering from an attention seeking disorder, whats the difference.....as long as one isn't offensive whislt drunk then perhaps by posting they maybe helping themselves...I can choose to ignore certain members post but I cant control them...

Well, personally, I have posted on occassions after a few drinks. Not at a stage where I was totally intoxicated.
I have found myself to be very emotional in these times and needing support. Or, being in an emotional state of mind, which allows me to really express what I'm feeling.
And at the same time being able to really get into a thread and understand a person's post properly, therefore writing more insightful replies.

I do understand that there could well be times where judgement could be drastically impaired, and the wrong things could be said negatively affecting others - this is not appropriate.
I don't have an answer as to how to control these situations.
But, as long as it's not excessive use of stimulants - I don't think there'd be any issue with posting.

I daresay that many members here do post and even chat (gasp! ) while under the influence, at least of medication! It matters not to me unless the person is acting out at the same time (and maybe because of?)...generally no one will know except the drunk person tends to TELL EVERYONE in the post or chat that they're drinking!

It's always about support here...giving and receiving...and added to that: NOT upsetting another member if it's possible. Be safe.

True anyone can drive while intoxicated, but is it legal and safe? I'm sure all the families and mothers who have lost loved one to a drunk driver would disagree.

Hi Ygrec

I think it would be silly for PC to have a rule against posting while intoxicated. If you want to speak your mind while intoxicated, feel free to do so. I've never done it myself, but it looks like it could be quite embarrassing. People sometimes reveal more about themselves than they would if sober and say things they later regret. If you can stand behind your words, drunk or sober, then it shouldn't matter.

You spark some interesting conversation, so post whenever you want to post. Your level of intoxication is not my concern because you have the ability to own up to what you have to say.

I think that's a little like asking if one should post when sleepy? One shouldn't drive when sleepy but being sleepy is a part of one's life. For some, being intoxicated is a part of their life. Another way of putting it; most of us post when distressed by our mental difficulties; should we only post when we're serene and feeling confident and know all the answers? What if drinking/drugging too much is part of one's mental difficulties?

Besides, enforcing such a "rule" would be impossible. One man's intoxication is another's depression/mania/anxiety?

(Posted "Yesterday, 05:11 PM".)

Is 5:11 PM in the evening for you?

Anything after five o'clock is evening in my book.

Do you intend to dance for us too or make us call you Billy?