When someone talks about cocaine and marijuana and other drugs like this, one of the first things that come to peoples head is; bad, evil druggies. But when someone says beer you don't think of the same thing as those other drugs. They are all drugs and as harmful as each other, but why is it when someone starts talking about alcohol we just don't seem to care as much. Well in this page that is what's being talked about.
One of the most common reasons is that its thought to be normal behaviour to be able to get drunk and drink alcohol. Its not like it is anything different out of the ordinary because so many people do it. Also alcohol has been generally around much longer than most other drugs people have learned to live with the side-affects of alcohol.
Another reason why alcohol is so accepted is that alcohol also has a positive association with family gatherings, food and celebrations
As far as binge drinking goes, most young adults are encouraged to binge drink by peer pressure. This peer pressure is what makes people think that binge drinking is ok. Also the young adult could think it is ok as their parents might have done it. And since its your parents who have binged drinked at the same age you are, lots of people think that's it acceptable because you trust your parents.
Another thing that helps it being more acceptable is the media, advertisements and a whole industry set up around alcohol. There is so much media and advertisements to do with alcohol that people just find it normal to hear about alcohol. Also all the controversy around alcohol on TV allows people to hear more and more about alcohol.
With all the hype about alcohol, peer pressure and trust of alcohol all adds up to why alcohol is so socially accepted.