For me, alcohol is a secondary element.  I typically don't do things for the primary purpose of drinking, e.g. "I want to have a drink and go do X."  It's more of a "I want to go do X and maybe have a drink." 

I've also noticed that alcohol tends to take a normally typical situation and amplify it.  Social situations, family gatherings, card games?  Meh.  Social situations, family gatherings, card games plus alcohol?  Yay! 

This isn't true for all scenarios.  Hiking is good, but hiking plus alcohol isn't good.  Watching football is good, but watching football and drinking puts me to sleep.