When Did Drinking Become Part of the Social Experience?

Why do so many people feel like the only way to have a good time is to drink? For some, cracking open a few beers or ordering a cocktail has become almost second nature when going out—often explained by the idea that alcohol helps them “loosen up” or feel more like themselves.

That raises an interesting question: Why has alcohol become so embedded in social settings? 

At times, drinking culture can create the perception that those who are sober are somehow less fun to be around. Alcohol is often used as a way to become more outgoing, feel more comfortable, or socialize more easily. This, however, makes it seem as though personalities alone are not enough to make an experience enjoyable.

Whether it is a night at a bar, dinner with friends, a party, or even a first date, alcohol often finds its way into the occasion.

The term “social drinker” especially reflects how connected alcohol has become to social gatherings. Someone may rarely drink at home or throughout the week, but when it comes time to go out with others, drinking suddenly becomes the standard.

Of course, drinking can make people feel less hesitant. It can lead to funny stories, fearless and impulsive decisions, and memorable nights that will be talked about for years. But should alcohol really be credited with creating all of the fun, or is society so accustomed to believing that it does?

Although some individuals may originally intend to have an alcohol-free night, “...some opt for alcohol anyway because of social pressure,” as drinking has become so normalized in group settings that choosing not to can seem like going against an unspoken social expectation (Financial Times).

There is nothing inherently wrong with choosing to have a drink. The larger concern, however, is how easily alcohol has become linked to the idea of fun.

At what point do people stop treating alcohol like a prerequisite for making the most of an outing? People should be able to laugh, socialize, form new relationships, and ultimately be themselves without relying on alcohol to bring out a different side of their personality simply to make the experience more worthwhile.

Will personality alone ever be enough? After all, if alcohol is supposed to make people act more like themselves, maybe the more interesting question is why society ever came to depend on it—and why simply being ourselves somehow stopped feeling like enough.