The problem with alcohol is the ubiquity and super normalization of its (ab)use. I'm sure the friend is getting their k treatment under doctor supervision, it's not sold at 7-11.
It is ubiquitous. Advertising is everywhere (hello, dry World Cup), with always a disclaimer at the end about drinking responsibly.
I do think attitudes are changing though. Younger people are drinking less and going for non-alc drinks.
But we also normalize marijuana use, gambling, sex, etc. Pick your vice.
Health effects aside. Alcohol is for the weak, I've been being weak these past few months because I've been needing liquid courage to let loose/socialise but those days are over.
Best nights out I had were a few years ago when I was sober for a whole year. Dominating social interactions sober > being controlled by alcohol.
I like a good wine. It's not to get blotto by any means. It adds to the enjoyment of my meal, typically complimenting it, rather than sucking down more water.
And once in a while, a nice grappa as a digestivo at the end of a meal is a ritual many digestive-obsessed Italians follow that I can get into.
Have I done too much on occasion? Yes... though it's been years. Mostly too much of a good thing. (I was an expensive drunk ... if someone opens a DRC, I ain't spitting.) And I hate the afterwards when I have, so it's moderation all the way, baby. Screw social courage or losing your senses. I have no interest in that.
You know I'm also a coffee fan too. And there was a time I thought that the decaf drinkers were the purists and true coffee lovers because they weren't drinking it for some chemical fix. (Caffeine being another minor vice in culture.)
But I changed my mind when I realized that the chemical makeup of coffee is altered. Decaf coffee is still fine, but it's not quite the same. You're missing chemical compounds and flavor elements. You cannot remove the caffeine from coffee anymore than you can remove the alcohol from wine or the pain from love. So the non-alcoholic wine doesn't do it for me.