When I was 18 and new to drinking(this is th US btw where 21 is the legal limit) I got trashed several times. As wasted as I was, and even the couple times I passed out, I STILL remember everything that happened those nights. I also knew enough and had enough self control to not do things I wouldn't do when I was sober. This of course is why I hate hearing people blame alcohol on mistakes they may have made that night. Let's get back to the point though.
I still drink now, but it's only once in a while. I've made a personal rule which hasn't been hard to follow to NEVER drink more than once a week. I do this because I will not get drunk if I have to work the next day, and if I AM working the next day I will only have a couple of drinks and then a couple glasses of water after to prevent any morning effects. While it's easy for me to get drunk, I don't go as far as to get trashed anymore. The trick is finding that "plateau" because then you can stay at if for hours. If you pace yourself properly you can not get trashed, but stay drunk for hours. Great for bachelor parties.
The big trick is not so much in quitting as much as it is pacing yourself. If you learn how to drink, it will never be a problem and can in fact enhance certain social situations. It makes everyone less critical of one another and not so uptight. Good way to lighten up the mood.
Of course anything in excess will kill you. I'm willing to bet that cigs are pretty safe if you only have 1 or 2 a day as well. It's more about pacing yourself. Your body is designed to fight off toxins, and generally in MOST cases it's good for it to be exposed to a little of something now and then to keep it on it's toes. Overdoing anything will kill you eventually, and of course before it does that alcohol itself will likely ruin your life before killing you. Great way to die...
Now I'm 20. I don't drink more than once a week, and it's usually about once or twice a month, although the last time I actually got drunk was in early october at my friends bachelor party, and it's good to note that I wasn't totally trashed...just drunk. Since then, the only alcohol I've had has been a drink with a meal or something of that sort.
Everything in life is about control. Most things in life will not hurt you in moderation, but overdoing it will kill you. Once you have achieved a state of good control(which comes as you get more experience) you will be all set. It only took me about a year to learn how to drink, just as someone else here has mentioned. It's fun for a while, but the novelty wears off, and after enough hangovers most people stop. Lucky me though...I've never knowingly had a legitimate hangover. I always had a glass or two of water before passing out or going to sleep so I'd be fine in the morning. The WORST that ever happened is a couple mornings after being extremely wasted I'd be a little slower at normal tasks, and instead of being uppity I'd be calmer than normal for me...not really a negative affect at all since it would shut me up for more than 5 minutes.
Anyhow, to end this I will reiterate that learning CONTROL is the key. Without control not only in life but when using drugs, you will be in bad shape.
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