I don't really understand it either. I don't like intoxicants and I feel I can do nicely without. I've never been intoxicated; it isn't a situation in which I would like to be. I like to have full control of my body, what I do and say, mind you.
Only those with undeveloped personalities find that they need these substances to relate and engage with others. My advice would be to stick to your initial instincts and respect the fact that the poison is disgusting and absolutely unnecessary to a fulfilling social life.
What are the problems with using drugs just to have an enjoyable social experience? It means that you're enslaving yourself to the pleasure of the drug, not to developing the capacity to live a meaningful social life. After all, you are simply not capable of finding meaning outside of the use of that drug. Eventually, if the only way you can find pleasure in social situations is through the use of alcohol, it's going to come to dominate your life. We are like fish in water. We are social animals in nature, and must be able to deal with society without intoxicants.
The problem with this form of vulgar hedonism is that it actual weakens our capacity to meet our duties to our family, to our friends, to our community, etc. If you don't understand the importance of meeting these functions and finding meaning in these activities without the use of intoxicants, I think you're ignoring certain key characteristics within the human mind and the manner in which meaning and a state of flourishing develop.
