I am a moderate but regular drinker. I have a substantial liquor collection and a strong interest in cocktails, as well as beer and wine.

The top conscious motivation for my drinking is exploration of taste, and I usually don't drink to substantial impairment. I suspect the unconscious motives are substantial, but that they have less to do with intoxication and much to do with signalling. That is, I've internalized the idea that appreciating the taste of alcoholic beverages is sophisticated to the point that it doesn't feel like signalling, it just feels pursuing something inherently interesting. (I also like tasting various teas and coffees.) I have no desire to break this habit, as a) light-to-moderate drinking appears neutral or positive for health and b) given my cultural position it's probably a cheaper hobby that anything I'm likely to replace it with.

There's also a sense of relaxation to drinking. It's not the literal intoxication, as I feel it before I even take a sip. I think it has to do with an association of drinking with recreation and relaxation--like a classic diminished-alertness-as-signal, but to myself.

Though I should say that I do sometimes enjoy the buzz--it can seem to put me in a more spontaneous, moment-focused mood, ideal for time devoted to fun. This does sometimes lead to snowballing where drinking more makes me want to drink more, until I've had quite a bit; this has occurred with diminishing frequency since the end of college. If you're wondering whether to count me as a heavy drinker, I've probably drank heavily like this once in the last six months.