Dear Poll: Do You Drink to Feel More Comfortable in Social Settings?

August 28, 2008

Although I do enjoy a drink out with my girlfriends, I definitely know that there’s a difference between drinking socially and drinking to be social. However, many people suffer from anxiety when presented with certain social situations, and the natural effects of alcohol often curb those worries. Though it can lead to more problems than it's worth, it's not surprising to find that some people feel they have to drink to be comfortable among others. Do you drink in order to feel more comfortable socializing?

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22 Comments

Cider Morten 4 years 37 weeks

I've done it a couple of times, but I normally let the other people drink so they are easier to talk to :s

missluckygenes 4 years 38 weeks

drinking does not fix the social anxiety problem....it either masks it, or the person drinking to escape ends up coming across as someone they are not...rude, ignorant, insulting, a need to be right, a need for conflict......so drinking to help w social anxiety doesnt work well, if at all....now, if youre drinking in a social setting, and youre not using the alcohol as a crutch, it can be very different. if you remain the same stable person you are know to be, you'll always come across that way, with or without alcohol. if a person feels like they cant do something or exist without alcohol, they have a problem, and need to recognize the early patterns and signs of a budding alcoholic before it consumes their life right up under their feet, and they come crashing down, hard. Social anxiety affected individuals should be aware about how easily one can become completely dependent on alcohol, or any other drug, and therefore they should work on the possible reasons behind any anxiety, instead of covering it up w alcohol. its a slippery slope, so to speak, and nothing good comes out of alcoholism. People become alcoholics(or drug addicts) before they even recognize that their use (misuse) of it is tearing at their lives.....the sad part is that many dont come to terms w it, accept it, or face it in a timely enough manner to where no one gets hurt.......it usually takes some brutal experiences before someone is able to admit they have a problem, and if left untreated, will kill them, maybe others, and hurt everyone.

looseseal 4 years 38 weeks

I find I get "stupider" when I drink. It's temporary (probably... hee), and I've never drank so much that I don't remember my slightly tipsy stupidity. It does feel "easier", somehow, to be stupid around people. Do I drink in pursuit of that feeling? Not so much. I'd take a drink to be social in the sense that sometimes people get all bent out of shape if you don't take a drink when they offer you one. Or they'd look at you like you have three heads. Yeah, whatever, I'll just take the drink. I don't have anything against other people drinking responsibly, I just don't like to drink because I don't like it when things burn going down the hatch. Not even a little.

brutalcupcake 4 years 38 weeks

I’ve done this on occasion.

popgoestheworld 4 years 38 weeks

Maybe I've done this once or twice or something but not regularly.

rainonme224 4 years 38 weeks

I'm very shy so if I don't know the people then yes I'll have a drink to loosen up a bit if we're in a bar setting, or a setting where other people are drinking. I wouldn't just grab a drink by myself because I was too shy. I'd feel more awkward then.

californiagirlx7 4 years 38 weeks

I rarely drink, but sometimes I do when I am hanging out with my friends who like to drink. It doesn't really make me more chatty though, it just makes me more giggly.

RockAndRepublic 4 years 38 weeks

I wouldn't prescribe it.

ayuninur 4 years 38 weeks

i don't drink..

g1amourpuss 4 years 38 weeks

Not as often as I used to. I've grown to love who I am without drinking. (Doesn't mean I don't like a good night's fun of drinking! I've just changed a lot since I have a daughter. My daughter is singing Itsy Bitsy Spider right now at the top of her lungs.. I'd rather hear her sing than be out drinking. Ha ha ha.)

jessie 4 years 38 weeks

occassionaly...depends where i'm at...if its a place where i've been before and people i know..i'm fine....people i don't know..place i've never been before...other people slammin' em' back...the yea...i'm might drink a few more then usual.

myystque 4 years 38 weeks

Although I don't need to drink to feel comfortable, I often feel as though I have more fun if I've had a couple of drinks as opposed to being sober.

GlowingMoon 4 years 38 weeks

I would accept an offerred drink, but I don't need it. Generally, I'm comfortable in a social setting.

RustyAngel73 4 years 38 weeks

i can have fun with our without drinking, so i don't drink to be more social, when i drink its not for that reason lol

mondaymoos 4 years 38 weeks

I'm pretty nuerotic and alcohol does help me loosen up. *shrug* I don't tend to do this when it's people I've known for a while but with new groups, I definitely prefer to have a few drinks.

a nonny mouse 4 years 38 weeks

No alcohol for me.

AujahAcorn 4 years 38 weeks

I have done this a few times throughout my life. I get anxiety easily and was prescribed a med to calm me, I don't like taking this med. Its highly addictive and a am always grumpy the next day so.... if I am in one of my high anxiety times I will have a drink. that's all it takes, one drink. although i might have 2 more for good measure ;)

princess_eab 4 years 38 weeks

I'm 100% guilty of this. I work by myself all week long (no officemates) and by the time I go out on the weekends I sometimes haven't had a conversation with anyone all week. I would rather not use alcohol as a crutch though, I'm actually a very extroverted person, but my current work is isolating.

sonya ina 4 years 38 weeks

I'm not a big drinker, at all. However, if I'm in an awkward social situation where there is alcohol available, I'll have a few drinks to loosen me up. Ultimately, I tend to be more shy with larger groups of people.

CYL 4 years 38 weeks

I actually rarely drink..I am a ball of energy without booze. I did so much partying in my early 20s that I have had enough booze for a while...oh god I just said "in my early 20s.." I am definately feeling old!