A person who is so drunk that he smells like alcohol is as drunk as a skunk. Example: "Don't go out drinking with Henry. He'll get you as drunk as a skunk."

"As drunk as a skunk" is a colorful way to say "very drunk" because a skunk is an animal that pees and smells very bad, just like a drunk person who smells bad, falls down and makes a mess. Example: "Did you see Jean last night?" Reply: "Yeah. She was as drunk as a skunk."

A person who is sprayed by a skunk smells so badly that he is ashamed, just as a person feels stupid and ashamed for being drunk as a skunk. Example: "I can't believe what you did last night." Reply: "I know. I was as drunk as a skunk."