I don't know why people would drink if it isn't to get drunk. Some alcohol tastes quite nice but compared to a glass of fruit juice, why bother with the alcohol when it is so much more expensive and not nearly as tasty or refreshing. When I was 16, everyone at school would be drinking and thinking they were really cool but I was never part of any crowd so I didn't have the chance to join them, but I didn't want to either. I started going on nights out, however, just before starting uni. I drank a fair few units of vodka a night for the week before starting uni and after that I really starting enjoying drinking with my friends and going out more. I have social anxiety and I know my friends think I'm boring when I don't drink, so alcohol was great for me to finally be able to open up and not care what people think. This lasted for about 2 months, I was having the time of my life but.. after that it all felt sort of empty. I have still been going out drinking about once a week but my experiences with drink have become worse and worse. I'm 20 now, and recently my alcohol consumption has led to me doing things I certainly regret. Nothing major, just a few drunken kisses that make me feel empty, and me saying things I shouldn't to the guy I used to fancy. I want to stop drinking, to save money and dignity, but I only ever see my friends when we have a night out planned, they never want to meet up when I'm sober, all they want to do is drink. In retrospect, drunk people are really annoying and it's just a waste. I would stop drinking entirely, I just need to be able to open up and I can't seem to do that without alcohol. I don't understand the people who are confident and loud enough already, before the drink :/