completely out of their normal, conscious character?
Until recent years, I thought blacking out and passing out were the same thing. I didn't really understand that people could be conscious and not even appear to be not terribly inebriated, yet have no idea what they're doing.
It explains a lot about drunk driving, really. I realize that many of the people who do so when they're extremely intoxicated are in a blackout. They really should have someone take their keys if they intend to drink. :