A part of my upbringing was influenced by hearing my maternal grandfather shout back-and-forth at his new spouse he got with after my grandmother passed away. Every night I spent at his house was like this. They got drunk so damn frequently. My father who also treated me terribly had a major problem with alcoholism. His grandfather (or my great grandfather) literally died to alcohol poisoning.

As you can see, alcohol isn't a pretty thing for me. I'm repulsed by it, and I don't go to bars because I know the environment's gonna be terribly awkward. One time I went to an LGBTQ-themed night club, and I couldn't even order a Shirley Temple from the bartender without feeling awkward. Obviously, I agree with @baritone_edge@lemmy.ml's point about socializing. I know you don't have to drink in those kinds of settings, but socially speaking, it's still very uncomfortable to go there if you are non-alcoholic.

I now live a straight edge lifestyle, and I prefer socializing at cafés and everything because the only "drugs" I consume are caffeine and the prescription meds I take every day. For me to say I "hate" drinking (as strong as that word is) seems like an understatement at this point. Alcohol itself is something I can't cease to see as a poison, and the culture around it isn't any better.