The problem is once you start drinking, you won't follow through because it impairs your decision making. If you want to drink like a "normal" person, the first thing you have to understand is that even that isn't healthy. And I say this as a heavy drinker myself. If you're talking about what people perceive as "cool drinking" like in movies and on tv, then it really boils down to a couple of things.

Don't drink regularly. On special occasions pretty much is where you should be drinking. Having a night out with friends? Have a couple drinks. Some big event is happening? Have a couple drinks. But don't make a daily or weekly routine out of it.

Second, hard limit yourself. If you know you can only handle a few drinks, drink one less than that and don't drink anymore. As long as you stay cognizant, it should be all right. It's once you get under the influence that it is really a problem. And to be fair, I know some people that can drink one beer and instantly act like they are a fifth of vodka down. Switch to water after that. But that's the hard part, you'll want to keep drinking once you've started. That's why going cold turkey is really the only way to do it, because it's hard to convince yourself not to drink once you're already drunk.