I enjoy drinking alcohol, but am unable to tell if I’m reaching alcoholic territories

I would be lying if I said that I only drink alcohol for the enjoyment of the taste. While it’s true that I do it for that reason, I also do it for a confidence boost and social anxiety regulation.

That being said, I only drink during very specific times, which is when I go out partying with friends or when I am in any other social occasion where others also go for alcoholic beverages. I never consume alcohol when I’m just by myself and/or if the situation doesn’t include a party or social activity where alcohol isn’t served at all.

However, the reason why I’m asking myself if I get into alcohol territory is because I do notice that I look forward to the moments where I can party while being tipsy a lot, especially because I know that in those moments I worry less and enjoy the moments more.

A big reason on why I didn’t take the effort to stop my behaviour is also because I haven’t noticed any significant side-effects on my health either. When I do drink a lot, I’m always in control of what I do and say, I just do it with less overthinking. Aside from this, I do wake up with hangovers every now and then, but that usually only includes a mild headache and a fuzzy feeling that disappears throughout that next day. Throughout the night and the next day I also make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Since I only drink during parties or social events, I also don’t have a specific “schedule” or “pattern” as to when I drink. Sometimes I have social hangouts and parties planned several times per week, and sometimes they happen only once per month. Either way, daily drinking only happens once in a blue moon when I happen to have activities planned one day after the other, which rarely happens in my life. I also don’t feel like I need alcohol whenever I’m sober and there are no parties planned anytime soon.

Still, I am wondering if this lifestyle is worth keeping up with if I have no issues with it, or if these habits could be considered problematic. Any type of insights/advice would be useful