Why use alcohol for performance? It works, it is cheap and you can get it readily. It is particularly effective in altering the brain, increasing boldness, relaxing you and also improves cognition; all of this up to a point of consumption.
Many of the great works of literature and music have benefited from the influence of alcohol, some of the most notable leaders in history were functional alcoholics (e.g. Winston Churchill). The idea is not to become alcohol dependent, but to use alcohol, selectively, to improve performance.
Long term use of alcohol need not be detrimental so long as intake is limited and the organs of the body are given the time and space to cope. If you are on medication then follow the instructions not to use alcohol, if you have a condition that requires the long (lifetime?) term use of medication, explore alternative treatments that may reduce or eliminate your need for drugs.
Avoid over the counter medications, in particular sleeping pills, they do not aid sleep and increase the burden on your organs, especially the liver. Do not go to bed drunk, this does not help sleep, a small amount of alcohol, quickly consumed close to bedtime may increase the feelings of tiredness and so help you fall asleep.
Not all alcohol is the same, I have yet to see a case of overproof white rum improving performance. It is however a zero calorie drink by nature, and so useful in mixed drinks.
Some fear that any use of alcohol is the gateway to alcoholism and to other substance abuse, I side with Gabor Mate, trauma is the gateway.
I am trying not to be biased so I am listening