While alcohol dependency is damaging, and even excessive non-dependent alcohol use can be physically and mentally damaging, I am worried about the tendency of those who oppose alcohol to appear to oppose pleasure.

Pleasure is good.

Many types of alcoholic drinks are pleasant as such.

Alcohol reduces inhibition and thus facilitates interpersonal enjoyment.

It is a convenient way of escaping stress - an all too prevalent curse of today's society.

It assists in reducing (temporarily) awareness of poverty, and many types of suffering and pain.

As a better writer than I once said "Alcohol may therefore be said to be an equivocator".

Personally I like it.