I remember asking my father why he never drank alcohol. He said, "My dad (your grandfather) and three brothers couldn't leave it alone, so I figure I wouldn't be able to either. If you are wise you will do the same." I'm 46 and never had an alcoholic drink.
I drank my first beer when I was 18 years old. That was the only beer that year. When 19 I drank two. When 20 I drank four. When 21 I drank eight (yes, really!). Around 23 I started drinking like everyone else. It's funny because I initially didn't drink by choice - thanks to religious upbringing + the general distaste for beer I refused to drink (and, sadly, partying[0]) alcohol, opting for coke instead. What I learned then is that alcoholic beverages just start to taste more the more you drink them.
[0] - It's not the booze I didn't drink that I regret; it's the connections with interesting people of various trades I could make, but didn't, because I haven't attended the university grills, etc.
As a counter-point, I also had heavy alcoholism and drug use on both sides of my family. I drink in moderation, primarily on social occasions, and I almost never drink to the point of inebriation. I have never felt any compulsion to drink to excess.
I had a similar experience to your father growing up and that's exactly the conclusion I reached. Learning what not to do through the example of others can be quite efficient.
