Plus society (actually marketing, so society by proxy) tells you that you are odd/unusual for not drinking).
It's peculiar how we as species have evolved into this destructive behaviour.
You probably also enjoy a lot of "chemicals" that are mind-altering or intoxicating without realizing it, unless you're very strict about your diet indeed. Casomorphins are delicious, you see, and can life without chocolate really be said to be enjoyable? Better skip fruit juice and bread, as well, given that they certainly include a percentage of alcohol and fermentation byproducts.
Nitpicking, but tell that to the asphyxiophilia crowd.
for such folks, especially ones who don't have much exposure to recreational drug use outside of drinking culture, i think GP's question is perfectly reasonable.
there are plenty of people whose drug of choice used to be alcohol and have since switched to something else and found equivalent or greater satisfaction; seems like this thread might be a good forum to have that discussion.
I could list many pleasant things which are not required to enjoy life. Cannabis or alcohol are among them. Can be pleasurable without any adverse effect if used reasonably, which most people manage to do.
Everyone is wired differently, and some of us need different things to get occasional boosts of dopamine that help keep us motivated and productive in life. Best not to judge others when their dopamine sources differ from yours and cause no harm to anyone else.
Also, while I do strongly believe that weed is healthier compared to alcohol, it isn't without it's own problems.
The same author as the book proposes a chemical alternative. He's an interesting guy.
Product page: https://gabalabs.com/