Is it really necessary to drink alcohol to have a genuinely fun time?

In light of Halloween weekend, I have found myself thinking and reflecting back to the times when we as society were young enough that we didn't even know alcohol and other drugs existed. We were able to have a genuine time without alcohol and other stimulants inflicting us and altering our minds in a way that makes you seem like a totally different person. Speaking from personal experience, alcohol has brought nothing but bad endings to nights that could have been great, but we can't remember them anyways.

Tell me, does that sound like a good time?

I have gone out with friends and had them end up in the hospital for drugged drinks; mixing alcohol and other stimuli together for the sake of a cheap thrill. They have told me about their out-of-body experience time and time again and every single one of them told me if they could go back and relive that night, they would never have done what they did.

Does that sound like a night you'll never forget?

I could never wrap my head around why people feel obligated to drink before they go out to do something, whether it is before a party or some other event. I could never understand why some individuals need to feel intoxicated to have fun; being foggy the entire night and waking up not remembering what happened the day before.

This past weekend, I have witnessed at least eleven ambulances carting away some unfortunate student who did not know their limit and have seen many more people affected by their poor decisions.

So tell me, does it really seem necessary to have your state of mind altered to have a good time?