But if you know that your body metabolizes alcohol well, maybe you personally can drink more.

My European p-doc friend who is seriously into drinking (and who introduced me to Cotes-du-Rhone, sorry I am too lazy to insert accents appropriately) says that alcohol makes me more cheerful, kinder and easier to interact with. I think it is his projection; I personally do not see any difference whether I drink alcohol or not. But your mood clearly benefits from it, right?