I get the coke taste thing too. But when that happens I end up wanting coke. Always. I was just as bad with alcohol as I was with coke, but as far as cravings go, I have a much harder time with the coke cravings...for sure. They tend to be stronger.

I don't think that's denial. Drinking (and other things) can be a problem in some ways but not in others. I don't think drinking in moderation is a problem unless you're doing it for the wrong reasons. It can be a problem without being an addiction. I'm not saying that you have a drinking problem or anything. I'm just saying that the problem can be what's driving you to do it, rather than the drinking itself. I know what you mean about the social aspect of it all...that part definitely isn't easy.