Tealilly, thats mostly how it was for me, too. In fact there was a time when i really couldnt stand alcohol. I would immediately feel all icky and headachey from a few sips. I could feel my life force draining away with it.
But at some point, while living around heavy drinkers, I started to use it (as they seemed to be using it) to obliterate feelings every now and then... and THEN it went into ... A full on addiction, cravings, etc.