It's something you need to try for yourself, really. The first time I drank a lot was with four close friends and we all slept over so it was a relaxing environment and my safety wasn't really in jeopardy. I ended up enjoying it quite a bit, but at the same time it's not something I'm always up for doing. I just got back from spring break where I was camping with those same friends. We had some beers around a campfire and it was a lot more fun than getting completely trashed at a bar or party would have been (although that can be fun on occasion as well.)