I can say with true certainty that my parents drink and are completely not dependent on alcohol. I can't say that I can say that with certainty about anyone else I know who drinks in a somewhat regular fashion, but they aren't. They always have beer in the fridge and wine in the wine rack, but do not depend on it. We can go to dinner at a restaurant where they would usually order a drink and then sometimes they don't. When we have family dinners, wine or beer is offered about 50% of the time. They are some of the only people I know who really only drink ONE beer in an evening or split one and be done. It's possible. It's just rare. I somewhat agree with your OP