This is a sort of obvious thing. Alcohol achieves its effect by poisoning and shutting off parts of your body - a side effect of which is lost inhibition. And for a lot of folks, losing inhibition is not that good in seconds consequences either.

On the flip side, I've had a couple of "magical" nights in my life where alcohol played a key role and I would not trade those nights away in the risk/reward equation.

So as a personal measure I'd say - if you drink rarely and your results are additive to your life - great. You are striking the right balance. If you are drinking frequently and struggle to function without it (eg - can't handle a social gathering without it) then you got health and personal issues from it and should change your ways.

As a society we are way too accepting of it as a casual and normal substance, for sure.