People with high levels of social anxiety typically report that alcohol helps them feel more comfortable in social situations. Thus, it is not surprising that individuals with clinically diagnosed social anxiety disorder have a higher incidence of alcohol–related problems than does the general population.
PAUL (05/03/2023) — Published in the peer-reviewed journal Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research, University of Minnesota Medical School researchers found people with an anxiety or major depression disorder experience greater alcohol use disorder symptoms and problems in comparison to people without those disorders ...
Depressed or anxious alcohol-dependent people often believe that they drink to relieve symptoms of sadness or nervousness. However, research does not unanimously support the prior existence of severe depressive or anxiety disorders as a usual cause of alcoholism.
Alcohol As A Coping Mechanism
Appropriately called “liquid courage,” alcohol reduces inhibition and is associated with increased confidence, prompting those with social anxiety disorder to often see alcohol as symptom relief in a bottle.
Alcohol is a negative reinforcer for anxiety, as it temporarily relieves the symptoms but does not contribute to resolving the source of the stress. In fact, our addictions recovery center knows it often can often make things worse!
You may feel like alcohol is your coping mechanism: a way to deal with depression, stress, anxiety or other difficult feelings. You might be nervous about what life would be like if you stopped drinking or cut back. But relying on alcohol to manage your mental well-being can become a problem in itself.
The Link Between Shyness and Drinking
Why? The lowered inhibitions that come with drinking can greatly reduce shyness and increase confidence. Of course, this isn't a healthy solution to a timid personality. Rather, drinking eventually leads to reckless or belligerent behavior and ultimately addiction.
One thing people often miss after they quit drinking is the social lubrication. Many people start drinking in the first place because they have social anxiety and alcohol makes it easier to talk to people they don't know.
Methyphobia is the Fear of Alcohol, the fear of getting drunk or the fear of becoming addicted to alcohol. For some people the idea of not being in 'control' can be a major cause of anxiety and this may be the main reason why people develop methyphobia.
Coffee (within limited amounts) can produce a calming effect and release dopamine(the feel-good neurotransmitter) in your brain. Green tea is another one of the best drinks for anxiety. It activates chemical neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, said to be 2 of the happiness chemicals within your body.
Excessive drinking can cause anxiety, both in the short and long term. Drinking alcohol may temporarily reduce your worries, lower your stress levels and take your mind off any troubles. However, excessive drinking can lead to increased anxiety the next day: a phenomenon that has become known as 'hangxiety'.
Anxiety disorders affect nearly 1 in 5 adults in the United States. Women are more than twice as likely as men to get an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Anxiety disorders are often treated with counseling, medicine, or a combination of both. Some women also find that yoga or meditation helps with anxiety disorders.
How long does anxiety last? Typical anxiety can last for days, or at least until you've dealt with whatever is making you anxious, but anxiety disorders can persist for months or years without relief. Often, the only way to control anxiety is through professional treatment.
It's common to feel anxious or cranky. Your mood should get better within 3 to 6 weeks. Tell your doctor if it doesn't. You may need treatment for long-term symptoms or an undiagnosed mental health condition.
Shifting Your Social Circle
Many people live happy lives without the presence of alcohol, surrounding yourself with like-minded people will enable you to normalize an alcohol-free lifestyle. A great way to meet other sober people is through volunteering, attending alcohol-free events or social-media groups.
Ultimately, while evidence suggests that introverts and extroverts have different drinking patterns, it's hard to say if one group actually drinks more than the other. And, particularly when it comes to addiction, there really isn't enough evidence to suggest one personality type has a higher likelihood of alcoholism.
The simple answer is no. It's true that alcohol directly affects the brain, but not in positive ways. While drinking may make you feel a little more confident, it's just a mask that you can hide behind. Self-acceptance without alcohol is the real way to find the strength to be yourself.
The Mechanism Behind Alcohol's Confidence-Boosting Effects
It primarily stems from alcohol's impact on the brain, affecting both inhibitions and the processing of our surroundings. By reducing inhibitions, alcohol diminishes our awareness of potential social risks, such as awkwardness or rejection.
Overall, quitting alcohol can cure anxiety, especially if addressed early on. Habitual alcohol use and continued abuse, on the other hand, may require addiction treatment and rehabilitation.