Great intro per usual, Sao. I think we could shorten the phrase "drinking culture" to "drinking cult". Almost more appropriate!
Those of us in early recovery have a hard time finding our ways out of the cult. Our lives are centered around the cult, our friends are in the cult, and all of our social activities take place with the cult.
The good news is that we don't have to be a part of that rat race, and we can elect to step away by choice. Sobriety is very much like breaking free of a cult, and it's so amazing to enjoy the wonders and opportunities in the "outside world" once we are free!
Breaking the chains comes down to confidence. You have to be confident that you will actually enjoy a sober life. You have to trust that living sober is not only meaningful, but fun! I think the reason so many fall back into drink is that they just aren't confident that their lives will really improve without booze. They don't trust the unknown.