Not only because of

COVID

but because of all the social implications that it brought.

The past two and a half years has finally taught me that I don't like

alcohol

it self that much.

In fact I think back to when i started liking drinking and it was always tied to people and making a scene. Acting a fool and being overly

empathetic

as you state. 

Without all that, the slight increase in 'good' feelings from boozing is just not enough given all the downsides. 

In a way this realization was sad to me. I had thought alcohol would be a trusty companion for all my life. And sadly it has become an old friend, who I sincerely enjoy meeting incidentally. But never planned.