A common scenario: Two friends spend an evening in their cups. At some point, usually in a deep state of intoxication, one of them confesses something very personal to the other. Assuming the confessee remembers the conversation, what are his or her ethical responsibilities concerning the confession? Is it right for the confessee to pretend nothing was said? Is it right to acknowledge and address the confession when both parties are sober? Should the confession be taken as truth or as the unreliable mutterings of a drunk? These are complicated questions with potentially serious social ramifications, so it's the responsibility of anyone who decides to engage with alcohol and those who drink it to have a plan in this regard.