I disagree strongly with your observation. I spent the last 4 days with people who were drinking, asking me why I wasn't and didn't have any.

A friend I've known for 10 years, and only see 2x a year max, is coming in for the weekend. I'm going to have some drinks with him. Getting drunk by myself is a problem, not drinking with friends.

Also, keep in mind this is a conscious decision with forethought. It's not, "fuck it I need a release I'm finishing this bottle of Jack", or even a spontaneous "oh I'll just have one beer, no big deal".

I'm ok being a social alcoholic, or a functioning alcoholic. I'm not ok with it interfering with my life, which it was.