Gin can be a useful calming agent for over-enthusiastic red blood cells but overdoseage can have unwelcome side-effects.
Again, being a bit more serious, you probably have adapted over the years but the effect may be less than if you actually lived permanently at 8,000' rather than simply feeling that you do. The people who live at high altitudes do not tend to spend time at sea level so it would probably be reasonable to suggest that although you may have a degree of adaptation, it will not be as great as theirs. I would not be surprised if your Hb level is at the upper end of the normal range.