Speaking as a recovering alcoholic, my buddies and I used to make fun of 'social' drinkers. Our mind-set was, if you're thirsty, have a pop or a lemonade. Booze is for getting a buzz on - or for getting hammered, depending on your mood and the situation.
of course, a lot depends on what you're drinking and whether you've had something to eat or not.
4 or 5 beers or mixed drinks on an empty stomach will hit you a lot harder as opposed to the same amount of booze after a good meal. Likewise, the faster you drink, the quicker it's going to hit you.
A buddy of mine would drink chocolate milk before going out drinking, because he thought it would coat the walls of the stomach and slow the absorption of the booze into your system.......