I'm an Aussie too dstat...I went with the flow for a lot of years...mostly it was easier that way....and I really didn't want to stop anyway...who wants to be different?
but...alcoholism is progressive, and it will bite you on the behind if you abuse it long enough....I spent 20 years trying to be a drinker when I knew it was really bad for me.... in the end I lost the career, my reputation and the all the other things I tried so hard to juggle along with my drinking.
It is entirely possible not be a drinker - in Australia as much as anywhere else.
It just comes down to how much you want to be a non drinker, dstat.
and I know it's easy to jump ahead in our mind, but speak with your Dr before you start thinking about what meds you might be prescribed...any good Dr will work out a treatment plan and meds that are right for you
D