Drinking to Fit In and Feel Better

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So I've realized recently that I really only am comfortable in social situations if I am drunk. I don't know how to describe it but I feel more free to be me. My friends won't make fun of my terrible dancing or loud voice or crazy behavior if I am drunk. And if THEY are drunk too I feel like I can connect with them more easily, like they are more like the everyday me at that drunken stage.

Does anyone else do this or feel this way?

Didn't work for me. I used to either make a complete fool of myself or I'd just piss everybody off.

Intoxication is terrible for me. I will never again be under the influence of any sort of illicit substance.

The biggest benefit that I get drinking (not drunk, just buzzed) at social occasions is that my sensory system isn't so touchy. If I down a couple of beers, suddenly the noise is tolerable, the movement around me is less chaotic, I'm not as freaked out about random people bumping into me, or touching me. Basically, I can tolerate more stimulation when drinking. I do get a little more outgoing, but mostly I just feel a little more relaxed.

I must admit I've always had a bit of a drinking problem. I used to drink a lot more than now but I still use it as a crutch

I find that a few drinks can be quite relaxing and ease social anxiety.

There is a twilight zone between being relaxed with alcohol and being drunk.

Blink and you're out of the twilight zone

I used to think it was the alternative scene that made me feel more comfortable but it was probably the alcohol. I don't fret so much about being weird and people seem more tolerating after they've had a couple of drinks. I also get very sociable when I get buzzed. But one drink too many and it turns into anxiety. And I get terrible hangovers nowadays, I can't handle bingeing anymore.

So at social gatherings I keep close tabs on my intake, both rate and volume and avoid what I did when I was young, which was gulp down a whole glass when something upset me (something someone said, something I didn't understand).

My thing I have to stay away from is smoking. I never realized how much it helped me with anxiety until my anxiety got worse. I don't want to start smoking, while a couple of glasses of wine a day may even be healthy (at least not harmful) even just one cigarette a day is really bad for you. The fact that smoking is acceptable any time of the day is also a problem. I would never dream of drinking first thing in the morning, but the morning cigarette was the best one all day.

I drank for about 10 years because I thought it made me just one of the regular guys. But it didn't and by the time I figured it out it was really hard to quit. What a waste; I could have been doing something I actually enjoyed.

Smoking; I started at 12 years old and smoked for over 25 years. I found it really took the edge off of my anxiety and gave me much needed time alone during the day. If cigarettes had not become so expensive I probably would not have quit. I miss it.

There are risks to it, but it can also be sucessful, depending on the person. You just need to find out how it works for you.

You could end up saying really stupid stuff and putting yourself in very bad situations, but if you can handle it, it can be very rewarding with the interactions you'll have.

Also, it's extremely important to know your limit. It isn't a contest; don't be throwing up the next day or end up being the incapaciated guy who brags about having had 12 shots of vodka at only 8:00 PM.

Just be careful.

Been there done that, don't recommend it and wouldn't do it again. It all comes with its own prices.