> My argument would be that these social intoxicants allow for the reduction in anxiety stress which enables a ego reduction

Just a counterthought:

If I your anxiety stress becomes reduced, you might be less anxious to call your boss an idiot. :-D

Seriously: if you become less afraid of the social consequences, this actually might increase your ego. I know quite some people who in my observation have a stronger ego under influence than when they are sober.