Drunk in The Spirit

While there is nothing intrinsically evil about alcohol, drunkenness is clearly condemned in the Bible.  There isn't much debate about that, and the principle is frequently extended to include the influence off other drugs.  The place where this gets interesting is when we examine the idea of being "drunk in the spirit."  For the uninitiated, this is described as when the presence of God is perceived so strongly by someone, that they act similar to people under the influence.  This may explain events like 1 Kings 8:11.

This phenomenon is something I have never experienced myself, but I have witnessed it on many occasions.  While I have no idea what it feels like, it is clear to me that there is something to it.  Good or evil, it is definitely real, but what is it, and where does it come from?

Those who defend it as a natural gift from God, through the Holy Spirit, site the events of Acts 2 as Biblical support for the idea.  It usually manifests as a "happy drunk" state, frequently accompanied by laughter, which is usually regarded in other cases to be a healthy and beneficial reaction.  It is similarly associated with joy, which is portrayed, especially in the New Testament, as an exceedingly desirable condition.

But this has to be balanced against verses that condemn drunkenness, and command sober-minded behavior.  Control over one's actions, and responsible accountability are principles found throughout the Bible.  This leads many to believe that God would not condone the behavior exhibited by those who are "drunk in the Spirit."  This implies that the source of that effect must not be from the Holy Spirit, but from demonic forces who have deceived the participants with their masquerade.

The key question becomes, are the Biblical warnings against drunkenness limited to alcohol and drugs, or do they include all similar behavior, whatever the root cause?  "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit," (Ephesians 5:18)  This verse contrasts one state with the other, implying that there are similarities between the two.  But "filled with the Spirit" is a very vague term, which could mean a whole spectrum of possible things.  The "Glory of God" is the same way, in that it can be interpreted as a theoretical concept, or a physical presence in the natural world, in the form of a cloud or fire, etc.

God created the world, and everything in it, including those things that are abused, and used for evil purposes.  One school of thought is that all things have a potentially positive and constructive purpose.  Opium is sold on the street as heroin, but used in hospitals as morphine.  Weapons can be used either to oppress or liberate people.  So if the condition of being drunk or "high" was created by God, while its purpose has clearly been twisted and misused in many cases, what was its original intent?  Is there a positive and acceptable purpose for this condition?

There is also the question of why can't I feel the slightest hint of what others are experiencing in those cases, but the answer to that could be similar to why alcohol has no effect on me: because my mind has a death grip on my body and actions.  That strength can be a good thing in many cases, but I have to make sure I am capable of relinquishing that level of control to God when the occasion arises.