Question: What is social drinking?
Answer: Social drinking is very similar to moderate drinking. It could be defined as moderate drinking with friends or any other social setting such as parties, bars, or dates.
Social drinking is not characterized by a loss of control. Generaly, social drinkers do not drink to chase after the “good feelings” that comes from being drunk. Most importantly, social drinkers are able to stop drinking permanently if they have some compelling reason for doing so, such as a health issue. Again, the key concept is control.
As James W. West wrote in the Betty Ford Center Book of Answers, “To social drinkers, alcohol is not important, is not necessary to make them feel good, and would not be missed in a nondrinking social setting. They can operate easily with others whether having had drinks or not. Some wise person said, ‘If you have to drink to be social, that’s not social drinking’.”
For more information, visit:
https://healthland.time.com/2009/08/20/when-does-social-drinking-become-at-risk-drinking/