Last Updated on May 6, 2016 by Morris Green

Approximately 15 million people in the United States suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD). According to WedMD, SAD is characterized by “excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations.” Anyone can develop this disorder at any stage of their life. Due to its classification as a ‘mental illness’, a stigma surrounds it. In fact, the stigma is so pervasive that the average person with SAD goes 10 or more years with symptoms before seeking help.

Social anxiety disorder changes the way a person thinks. It distorts their cognitive functions through false beliefs about social situations and imagined negative opinions of others, even total strangers. Without proper treatment, SAD can negatively impact every aspect of a person’s life from their daily routine to their ability to work, go to school, participate in social activities, and develop healthy relationships.

Why People With SADs Drink

Finding relief from the awkward and overpowering fear of social situations is hard for those with SAD. It is highly common for these people to self-medicate, particularly if they have not sought medical assistance.

Alcohol is a favorite go-to manager for those trying to cope with social anxiety. When social encounters cause unreasonable fear, they order a drink. Now, there’s nothing wrong with a small drink to quell the nerves or enjoy the situation, but a small drink can be a dangerous trap for social anxiety sufferers.

How Alcohol Affects Social Anxiety

Psychology Today showcased a study by university students in Germany who sought to explore the link between social anxiety and excessive drinking. Researchers discovered that people diagnosed with SAD often drank excessively in socially acceptable situations like happy hours, parties, and small gatherings; however, they tended to suppress drinking in scenarios where it could cause them to stand out.

Interestingly, the drinker’s expectations for how consuming alcohol would affect them played a significant role in how much they drank regardless of the situation. For example, a person who expects a few drinks to help them loosen up in socially stressful situations is more likely to “pre-drink” or “frontload” before going out, and this habit can lead to alcohol abuse and addiction.

For people with social anxiety, the expectation of how alcohol should help—the idea that drinking will have a positive effect on quelling their anxiety—increases the risk of developing a drinking problem. How can you safeguard against the trap?

Analyze the Motivations behind Alcohol Consumption

No one sets out to become an alcoholic. Developing an alcohol problem takes time, and it often sets in without the drinker realizing the problem is manifesting. If you have social anxiety and drink to better function in social encounters, analyze the motivations behind your drinking. Ask yourself:

• What positive effects does drinking have for me?
• What negative effects does drinking cause?
• Do my friends and family see behavioral changes that I don’t?
• Is my anxiety worse shortly after the alcohol wears off or in the following days?

Social anxiety should not be managed by alcohol consumption. The addictive properties of alcohol can quickly cause a dependency issue to develop. If you suspect or have a social anxiety disorder, talk to your doctor about how to successfully manage the symptoms and how you currently use alcohol.