All of the studies in the UK have been done while comparing it to only drinking the legal limit (which in the UK is one of the highest in Europe and quite high when compared to the rest of the world) and they found the driver using a phone (even hands free) had worse reaction times than the drink driver. And most would get so engrossed in the conversation they wouldn't notice a danger until it was too late to do anything about it.
If you nailed half a dozen pints, I suspect the balance would swing the other way quite quickly.
But then I am one of the Nazis who think you shouldn't be allowed to eat or drink while driving as I've had idiots get very close to side swiping me on the motorway because they were busy drinking a fizzy beverage or eating lunch while driving.
Sending text messages while driving is even worse than phoning someone. I hope when you crash you don't take out someone innocent in the process.