By consuming alcohol in moderation in the presence of a support network that will hold you accountable to that moderation. If people are not going to abstain fo

By consuming alcohol in moderation in the presence of a support network that will hold you accountable to that moderation. If people are not going to abstain for life -- and most won't! -- then learning how your body reacts to substances and how to moderate is an important life skill. Tons and tons of people manage to drink without going am addiction. And regarding risks, the same could be said for lots of things that are sometimes psychologically addictive -- internet, video games, shopping, etc.