It's not that socializing norms revolve around alcohol. It is that alcohol is one popular, amongst others, medium for socializing (because it's enjoyable, becau

It's not that socializing norms revolve around alcohol. It is that alcohol is one popular, amongst others, medium for socializing (because it's enjoyable, because it relaxes, etc. not for everyone, but for enough people). But, as in everything, "a bit" is good enough, excess spoils it (edit for the obvious generality that is: actually, "a bit" can be bad enough, it's not "as in everything"). The problem is more when one thing (alcohol, cigarette, coffee, etc.) is considered as being _the_ required medium (happens also at work, when informal coffee/smoking breaks become the actual decision moments and you have to abide by it or you're out).