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"It can also exacerbate mental health problems, especially anxiety and depression. One major American study suggested that up to a quarter of young alcoholics h

by V-2 6y ago

"It can also exacerbate mental health problems, especially anxiety and depression. One major American study suggested that up to a quarter of young alcoholics have social anxiety disorder." The first sentence might be true for all I know, but I can't see how the second one makes for supporting evidence.

kvgr 6y ago
Alcohol is perfect “cure” for social anxiety. Short acting, but very efficient. Thats why anxious people tend to drink...
- lanstin 6y ago
  And why parties are fun :)
ahh 6y ago
The causation is backwards! I'm not an alcoholic but I am an anxious wreck. Single best way to make me stop freaking out at a party? Two old fashioneds. I'd prefer to be gregarious and unworried sober, but that's not an option. (Yes, there are other approaches. This works better than all of them.)
- watwut 6y ago
  Yes, alcohol works that way. But self medicating with alcohol is risk factor for alcohol dependence. That is why it is not prescribed for anxiety as a cure - long term results are not good.
- kelnos 6y ago
  Right, but I think the point is that, while this method works best for you, there are also higher risks associated with it. And while you might be ok with just two drinks, others in your position might need three or four drinks to make them stop freaking out at a party. And still others might not need that many, but having a couple drinks might lead to more, as inhibitions are lowered and judgment is weakened.
- agumonkey 6y ago
  once again my weird anecdote: I'm not a drinker, and used to be a recluse, but once in a while there's a birthday I cannot refuse. I get there, stay miserable, drink a bit, keeps miserable, gets home at 3am. I woke up at 7am like a champ, jumping out of bed as if it was a 2 weeks holidays. Alcohol gets very bad press today but for me, that tiny bit of alcohol helped me stay at a party which probably refueled some social needs (even if shallow).

by V-2 6y ago

kvgr 6y ago

Alcohol is perfect “cure” for social anxiety. Short acting, but very efficient. Thats why anxious people tend to drink...

lanstin 6y ago
And why parties are fun :)

ahh 6y ago

The causation is backwards! I'm not an alcoholic but I am an anxious wreck. Single best way to make me stop freaking out at a party? Two old fashioneds. I'd prefer to be gregarious and unworried sober, but that's not an option. (Yes, there are other approaches. This works better than all of them.)

watwut 6y ago
Yes, alcohol works that way. But self medicating with alcohol is risk factor for alcohol dependence. That is why it is not prescribed for anxiety as a cure - long term results are not good.
kelnos 6y ago
Right, but I think the point is that, while this method works best for you, there are also higher risks associated with it. And while you might be ok with just two drinks, others in your position might need three or four drinks to make them stop freaking out at a party. And still others might not need that many, but having a couple drinks might lead to more, as inhibitions are lowered and judgment is weakened.
agumonkey 6y ago
once again my weird anecdote: I'm not a drinker, and used to be a recluse, but once in a while there's a birthday I cannot refuse. I get there, stay miserable, drink a bit, keeps miserable, gets home at 3am. I woke up at 7am like a champ, jumping out of bed as if it was a 2 weeks holidays. Alcohol gets very bad press today but for me, that tiny bit of alcohol helped me stay at a party which probably refueled some social needs (even if shallow).