Do you feel like you 'need' to get drunk and get any ill effects from not drinking? Or is it more getting carried away but being fine to go without it? I have drank too much many times and sometimes have had embarrassing/s***ty situations....Part was enjoying being drunk but also I was self medicating unpleasant aspects of depression, anxiety and ptsd didn't see it that way at the time though.

Alcohol can lower inhibitions so you might feel more confident, care less what people think of you and be more talkative(though depending on how drunk you are it might just sound rambly)

I don't know perhaps trying to moderate more would be a good idea, I still do drink but less than I was and when I do drink I try to avoid over-doing it, though I am not going to mentally beat myself up over 'oops I had one to many drinks last night' either. I guess in my experience I have had issues with reckless drinking/alcohol abuse, but never a real addiction and what you describe seems somewhat similar....but if this is really effecting your life negatively it would be a good idea to look into maybe therapy or other help.