"Some, like me, discovered alcohol's magical power in quieting that little voice. A couple of glasses later, the nagging voice fades into the background, and finally, conversation flows and laughter becomes easier. But while alcohol seems to help in the short run, over time, it creates a social anxiety drinking loop that not just keeps the anxiety alive, but intensifies it."
"It hushes you to stay quiet so that you don't say anything "stupid," or it whispers in your ears about stopping "walking so funny." That's our inner critic, convinced that there is something wrong with the way we are, and it's his or her joy to ensure that we don't expose our secret flaw in front of the public. The inner critique is like the all-caring, helicopter parents - with the best intentions to keep you safe,"
Social anxiety often stems from self-perceived flaws and a persistent inner critic that warns against exposing those flaws. Alcohol can temporarily quiet that critic, making social interactions feel easier, but repeated reliance creates a cycle that maintains and amplifies anxiety. The only durable solution involves addressing the inner critic directly: learn its patterns, identify the specific fears it protects against, and disarm its influence. Treating the critic as a protective but mistaken part of the self allows gradual reduction of fear about social exposure and the development of authentic, less anxious social presence.
Read at Psychology Today
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