I grew more and more critical of alcohol with time but it plays such a big role where I live that I don’t see myself without it in that context. At the same time, I appreciate craft beer and pure whiskey, which isn’t like binge drinking diluted shitty liquor just to get smashed.

I recommend any young person starting to drink to always take it slow, resist peer pressure for you and the people around you, learn to say no and help people saying no when they want to. Appreciate the taste of decent alcoholic product and don’t force yourself to ingest anything just to get drunk. Respect people who don’t drink and support them in their choice.