Chillin' with a bottle of Cristal at a downtown club. Taking Grey Goose jello shots to the head at your friend's bachelor party. Mingling with a glass of white Zinfandel at a classy networking event.

To drink or not to drink? That is indeed the question. The nightlife scene is a staple for young adults in today's society.

Many prepare all week to hit the clubs or lounges on the weekend and 'have a few' with their friends. But, is it necessary to drink alcohol in order to have a good time?

Frankly, the odds of finding a club or lounge that does not serve alcohol is slim to none.

Kareem Lovejoy, 31, of ODC Elite Events in New York City claims that "alcohol isn't mandatory to have a good time, but it is preferred."

"People like to drink alcohol to lower their inhibitions. With that said, it makes some individuals more comfortable and willing to step out of their norm," said Lovejoy.

The 'stepping out of their norm' is facilitated by a mix of dimly lit surroundings, a festive ambiance, and scintillating music pulsating in the background. It is an atmosphere conducive for 'hooking up' or behaving in a way that is contrary to the norms of the outside world.

This notion then would lead one to believe the only way to have a good time at night is to involve alcohol. So, is this the reason that the trend of alcoholism is a growing problem amongst the young adult population?

According to a study by the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, an estimated 46% of young people in America consume alcohol that exceeds the recommended daily limits and 14.5% exceed the recommended weekly limits.

Dr. Michael Windle is a psychology professor at the University of Alabama and director for the Center for the Advancement of Youth Health. He conducted research surveying adolescents, college students, and other young adults about their alcohol use.

His findings revealed high rates of alcohol use and high rates of dangerous drinking practices such as binge drinking and daily drinking. The term 'high' in these findings refer to consuming five or more drinks in a row on at least five occasions within a month.

The study also found additional health-compromising behaviors such as tobacco use and drinking and driving.

Young carry this badge of invincibility, but they aren't as invincible as they think.

According to the UK's The Independent, it takes as many hours as the number of drinks you have consumed to burn up all the alcohol you drank that night. Those feelings of nausea are a result from dehydration. It's also what causes that thumping headache that occurs in your hungover state.

Additionally, as your liver breaks down alcohol, by-products such as acetaldehyde are formed, some of which are more toxic to the body than alcohol itself. These by-products can eventually attack the liver and cause cirrhosis.

In addition, a heavy night of drinking upsets both the balance of enzymes in the liver and fat metabolism. Over time, this can lead to the development of fatty globules that cause the organ to swell. 

Despite these dangers, each year the liquor industry spends almost $2 billion on advertising and encouraging alcohol consumption in the U.S. - a campaign that is further reinforced via primetime TV shows. Party scenes with excessive drinking are the norm on shows like Jersey Shore, The Real World, Basketball Wives, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and The Game.

On programs like these, characters claim "they need a drink" when they're feeling low, they "hope to get drunk tonight" to feel a little looser and "they'll be fine after they have a few shots in their system."

Subsequently, the average young person views drinking and partying as two inseparable entities.

Blogger Alex Jones is a 26-year-old regular in the nightlife scene of New York City and social drinker. She thinks alcohol definitely enhances a party.

"Even in 2011 when everyone is supposed to be so comfortable in their skin, most aren't and are painfully shy. Alcohol is the instant cure for nervousness/anxiety/being shy etc... Some people use it to approach the opposite sex, some to loosen up and dance," said Jones.

Alcohol's side effect, Lovejoy claims, is the lowering of one's inhibitions (coming out of one's shell) and impairing judgment (making you feel you can do something that you really wouldn't do normally). 

The frontal lobe of one's brain is first affected by .05% of alcohol in one's blood, which is responsible for judgment and reasoning. Alcohol inhibits the nerves, which regulates the "fight or flight" sense, causing the individual to be less cautious.

When asked if a person can have a good time without drinking, Jones claims "it's very rare. But, I believe it's possible to have a good time without drinking, but most equate being a drunken mess with having a good time."

An occasional party patron in New York City is Carlotta Pope, who just celebrated her 21st birthday.

"I personally don't drink to have a good time, I can have a good time without a cup in my hand," said Pope, who is of the Christian faith. "It is not an essential part of my going out experience... When it happens it happens... It's not like I need to have a drink or two. All you need is some good music and good people to hang with."

Still, Pope admits that alcohol does enhance the experience some times.

"It can make it bad or good. It all depends on how much alcohol one has consumed and how one acts when alcohol is in their system," said Pope.

However, what about the times where the presence of alcohol becomes more of a liability to a party than an asset? The safety of all in attendance becomes a heightened concern because of the acts of one or a few patrons.

Jones summed up the disadvantages quite well.

"You're liable to have sex with someone you normally wouldn't and or get raped," he said. "It leaves you open to disease, bearing children or alcohol poisoning! And you are a potential danger to yourself or others if surrounded by the wrong people."

So, does an alternative exist?

One alternative in New York City is provided by Salvation Cafe Records Inc. They sponsor open mic events with a live band and DJ for single mixers. All their events serve non-alcoholic beverages and seek to "provide an exciting venue of expression, laughter, and fun to young adults and inner city youths." 

Another well-known Christian party occurs just across the Hudson River in Newark, NJ -- Club Zion. Dubbed NY/NJ's Ultimate Praise Party Experience, Club Zion holds parties every fourth Friday of the month. Every month the praise party has a different theme for the night. August is the 'Big Summer Birthday Bash' party, and next month is 'College Night.'

They serve smoothies, Italian sodas, various soft drinks, teas, and coffees. DJ YNOT? keeps the place moving, spinning high energy gospel/inspirational tracks;  there are live performances and an open mic segment.

Since September 2008, Flavor Night Fridays has been providing an alternative to one of the nation's most popular nightlife scenes - that of South Florida. Soul Movement Crew Promotions (SMC) sponsors parties for Christians and non-Christians alike.

Creig Freeman, the general manager for SMC describes the parties as "a very hype, explosive atmosphere."

"As a start, the principles are different for us at Flavor Nights. Our intentions are to provide a positive, fun-filled, adult environment without the promotion of alcohol and sensual dress for ladies," said Freeman. "Also, generally when you hear 'nightclub,' people envision a dark, overly sexy, "free spirited," place to go...a completely wild environment."

Flavor Nights serves up a clean, chic, sophisticated party environment that highlights urban gospel and positive music in hip hop, reggae and soca and celebrates enjoying life.

The drinks at Flavor Night Fridays are called "Joy Drinks."

Joy Drinks are smooth, tropical beverages made with ice and fruity flavors. Flavor Nights have garnered the reputation of having "the best Joy Drinks in South Florida." The newcomers are often blown away when they find out that they have a non-alcoholic bar and the crowd - made up of singles 18-40 and couples within the same age group - are having a good time.

The crowds at Flavor Night Fridays are often individuals and couples who love to dance.

Freeman says their goal is to get people excited about their experience at Flavor Night Fridays. SMC hopes all patrons get plugged in to music that would encourage them to live a life of purpose and righteousness.

The morning after does not have to be a scene out of the movie Hangover.

With equally-fun alternatives, you can actually be guilt-free about how you hung out the night before.