Drinking to composite shyness?
6 Likes
Tara I am not exactly sure what you mean by composite shyness? If you are talking about using drinking to overcome shyness, then yes that is something that is extremely common. I think it is a common trait among alcoholics and addicts that drinking or using helps us to feel comfortable in social settings or feel like we can be "ourselves" when in a crowd.
Does this help? Did I miss what you were trying to say entirely?
1 Like
Hey Tara, your not alone. I have been paralyzed by social anxiety and shyness in the past and used alcohol all the time to mask it. It’s works and works well until it doesn’t anymore because you will eventually realize it actually makes it worse. I wound up in a vicious cycle…. Social anxiety, covering it with alcohol and drugs which causes more anxiety which needed to be covered with alcohol and drugs. It’s not easy living with “shyness” and I’ve struggled my entire life with it. I even blush very easily which makes it that much harder to deal with. I’ve been to therapy and I’ve take meds. I’ve only found one thing that really works well (in combination with Effexor), and that’s AA. Working AA has been equivalent to years of therapy in just a few months. It’s not a cure, but it keeps you sober, returns your sanity and helps me accept who I am. In turn, for sure the anxiety and shyness lessens noticeably. Please give it a try If you haven’t already. I friend requested you and if you’d like to talk further send me an email.
2 Likes
I agree with Thomas. I had always been “shy” and didn’t realize I was compensating for that with booze. I know this, drinking is a symptom of a disease, that disease is mental and spiritual in nature. It manifests itself in innumerable ways. AA has helped me to learn about the disease by listening to and relating to others whom understand. From that I was able to identify and work on my personal character traits. AA saved my life.
2 Likes
Yes me too, I have realized that I’m shy but I drank for so long that I thought I was an extrovert 
2 Likes
Drinking was my cure for shyness, low self esteem and everything else social related. AA has helped me tremendously with all of that. I've definitely changed into a much improved person.
1 Like
It can be overcome without the booze. I just tell myself "here we go". The surge of adrenaline when I force myself to be bold can be helpful.
A resounding yes. Def drank to combat shyness and social anxiety. After some time I became so dependent that I would have panic attacks interacting with people while sober. Like I didn’t know how to talk to people anymore unless I was drunk. It was a scary place to be. I still get shy and some anxiety in social situations but I am much more able to be myself again, which I am loving. Getting back to myself with time. One day at a time.