Damn man, I like the drink too, but an alternative to smoke? Either alc. doesn't do for me what it does for you, or weed doesn't do for you what it does for me, because there is NO comparison.

Alcohol is (for me) a great feeling, but it is all numb. It's a depressant, so it makes you feel better by making you feel less. Weed is of it's own category- it can act as a depressant, a stimulant, etc, depending on your state of mind.

You mentioned playing video games. How does your performance compare sober vs. being high? Probably just as good, if not better, high. But get drunk, and see if impaired coordination, reaction time, and judgement decrease performance.

I have on more than one occassion vowed never to drink again, but have never made a similar statement about weed following a night of smoking. And I have never beat my wife and kids on weed alone.

Also, I can smoke without drinking, but if I drink, I AM going for smoke (one way or another).