[1] which may include partying and hooking up, as well as removing any awkwardness they have.
Citations (plural) needed. Without meta-studies and peer responses in subsequent papers and studies, this is just using a single article for confirmation bias.
In the actual scientific world, studies have been mixed since forever on the subject, with moderate wine drinking for example having shown in many studies favourable results for cardiovascular health and other aspects. Also many places with the most long-lived people on earth have big wine drinking populations (e.g. Icaria).
>they do it anyway, because "reasons"
They do it anyway because life is not just about avoiding everything "bad for you" or dangerous, but also about doing whatever one likes and having fun, life expectancy be damned -- from mountain climbing to drinking and anything else.
>anyone who disagrees is just being irrational.
Anyone who disagrees even for casual drinking is probably too afraid of dying -- but they are gonna die the same as everybody else anyway, and often having lived shorter lives than many of their drinking friends.
A patient asks his doctor: "Do you think I will live to be 80?"
The doctor asks: "Do you smoke or drink?"
"Oh no," he replies. "I don't do drugs, either."
"Do you have many friends and entertain frequently?"
"No, I usually stay home and keep to myself".
"Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?"
He says, "No, my other doctor said that all red meat is unhealthy!"
"Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, sailing, hiking, or bicycling?"
"No, I don't," he replies.
"Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?"
"No," He says. "I don't do any of those things."
The doctor looks at him and says: "Then why do you care?"
But I also wouldn't give a 5 year old a circular saw, so that can't be the proper rationale. And you've got to be more winsome or you're doing more harm to your view than good.
[1] which may include needing to get to work and not having good public transit available