I think that maybe getting a drink or two one the first one or two nights out is ok. Alcohol abuse is what gives you false courage after all. A drink or two might help you relax for the first time so it makes it easier for you.
But generally stay away from alcohol. I noticed 3 big downsides (additionally to the hangover).
1. You tend to forget things under alcohol influence. And there goes the nice routine down the drain.
2. Too much alcohol generates a different behavior for most people. Some people are able to control themselves, but it doesn't matter. People usually notice when somebody else is drunk. And that is DLV.
3. Simply because it's harder to analyze your mistakes afterwards and learn from them. When you are sober, you emotions trigger certain circuits in your brain that allow you to learn faster. If you are under alcohol influence, you will notice how much harder it is not to repeat the same mistakes over and over since your mind and body isn't properly learning what you should be doing.
Hope that helps.
I'm making a drastic cutback on alcohol myself. Each time I want to take a drink, I think of these 4 things. Well, actually only about the 3 I mentioned, I never really minded the hangover since I usually had a great time the night before. And then the universe was back in balance. xD