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I've been sober since September of 2020, which also comes with it's own sort of problems. Like your friends don't want to hang out with you because they don't want to "Trigger" you. I get it, and most of my friends have learned I just don't care about alcohol in my life anymore. Doesn't mean I don't like them, but it means IF I don't feel comfortable in a situation I just take myself out of it...for me.
But where does drinking start? A basement with friends, the woods? It normally starts at home. Most of the time seeing our parent(s) drink will make us want to be like them. Sad but true. We really do pick up habits our parents had.
There was even a study done on this so we understand why. It said when parents/guardians don't drink at all, 89% of teens avoid alcohol and drugs. So I guess bad habits breed bad habits, but the same goes with the good habits.
So why do we even start? It's the same thing. The first time feels pretty good, you laugh, you cry (sometimes a lot) but most times you'll throw up. Everything is good in moderation, so being a cheap drunk is always better for your pocket too.
If you ever think you might want to stop drinking, there is help everywhere. You don't have to feel bad about it, or even for me. I still have a great time out. Only difference is where I spent so much money on booze, and I don't now, I've saved over 2,031 hours of not just sitting at a bar getting wasted, and also saved $60, 930 (well haven't spent money on booze and such, but you'll notice a difference in your pocket. I don't have $60k sitting somewhere. Just haven't spent it on booze)
So think about it before you throw a drink on it. Give your kids a chance to decide on their own if they want to try it some day. Don't show them how you can "Function" while drinking. Show them it's a choice and everything is good in moderation.