There's some research that suggests group alcohol consumption increases social cohesion. I can't remember the studies I originally read which suggested this, bu

There's some research that suggests group alcohol consumption increases social cohesion. I can't remember the studies I originally read which suggested this, but a few from a web search: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/moderate-doses-of-alcohol-increase-social-bonding-in-groups.html https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/moderate-... https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120629211854.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120629211854.h... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5462438/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5462438/ Whether other psychoactive substances have similar effects I don't know, but it seems reasonable to assume alcohol's somewhat-unique social role reflects its actual impact on group bonds.