Sorry but this is ridiculous fearmongering and typical Redditor nonsense.

u/indigohoneymoon is simply a year or less younger than his 18 year old mates, and wants to join them in the pub.

It's a bit of an over reaction for him to say he's going to be "some loser" but it becomes very easy to simply lose a circle of mates because you don't take part in activities with them. Even in my late 30s I see that a lot.

On that note, in my late 30s I know loads of people who drank under-age, including me, and while one or two did have addiction/binge drinking problems for a while, they're now fine and for some reason are all into rock climbing (why always rock climbing?) Every one of them is doing OK/well in life, many of them married, kids, good job, house, etc.

People suggesting that because this guy wants to get into a pub a year (or presumably less than a year unless his "year older" mates are all bang on 18 and he's only just 17) earlier than he should means he's about to become some raging alcoholic is madness.

And FWIW, most people who get into addiction problems start drinking/using drugs away from licenced premises and simply on the streets or at mates houses. Being in a pub having a sensible evening is a way safer option.

The correct advice is he should simply use his own name. He doesn't need a lecture.