It's obviously bad to go out and drink on a consistent basis.

I think the key is to go out and have one or two drinks maximum, depending on how you feel. Pace yourself and don't drink fast.

One of the things I have been doing is getting cranberry soda instead of cranberry vodka. No one asks any questions and if someone asks to try it just say you are sick and you'd rather they not catch what you have.

Also, I've read medical literature that suggests one drink of alcohol a day actually improves brain function. Research that and let me know what you think.

TLDR: Binging is bad, drinking socially (drastically reduced from what you are used to) is probably okay as long as you don't have symptoms from it and you don't feel strange and off.