I have a friend that has started drinking. He is very smart and has everything to lose if he becomes an alcoh?

He has everything going for him. He says 3 or 4 beers or shots of whiskey gives him the energy he needs to get stuff done. And, surprisingly, he does get a lot, lot more work done after 3 or 4 drinks. He becomes very energetic on alcohol unlike most people. How can alcohol give him energy? Does it increase cortisol levels? Could adrenal insufficiency make him use alcohol?