Legal Definitions - self-induced intoxication

Self-induced intoxication refers to a state where an individual becomes impaired by alcohol, drugs, or other substances as a direct result of their own voluntary decision to consume those substances. This means the person willingly chose to ingest the intoxicating substance, even if they did not intend to become intoxicated to the degree they did, or to commit a crime while under its influence. It is distinct from involuntary intoxication, where a person is drugged without their knowledge or consent.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Driving Under the Influence

  A person attends a social gathering, knowingly consumes several alcoholic beverages, and then decides to drive home. Due to their impaired judgment and reaction time from the alcohol, they swerve and cause a minor traffic accident.

  How it illustrates the term: The individual voluntarily chose to drink the alcohol, leading to their intoxicated state. Their decision to drive while impaired, even if they didn't intend to have an accident, stems from their self-induced intoxication.

• Example 2: Misuse of Prescription Medication

  An individual is prescribed a sedative for anxiety. One evening, feeling particularly stressed, they decide to take double the recommended dose, believing it will help them relax more effectively. As a result, they become severely drowsy and disoriented, leading them to accidentally leave their front door unlocked overnight, which results in a theft.

  How it illustrates the term: While the medication itself was legally prescribed, the act of taking more than the prescribed dosage was a voluntary decision. This deliberate overconsumption led to their impaired state, making it a case of self-induced intoxication, even though the original intent was not malicious.

• Example 3: Recreational Drug Use Leading to Property Damage

  A group of friends decides to experiment with a hallucinogenic substance at a remote cabin. One friend, under the influence of the drug, becomes disoriented and believes the cabin walls are moving. In a panic, they punch a hole through a wall, causing significant property damage.

  How it illustrates the term: The individual voluntarily chose to consume the hallucinogenic substance, which directly led to their intoxicated and disoriented state. The subsequent act of damaging property, though perhaps unintended in their sober mind, was a direct consequence of their self-induced intoxication.