Alcohol is liquid courage for people to behave in ways they wish they could if they weren't socially anxious and neurotic. It doesn't cure social anxiety at all

Alcohol is liquid courage for people to behave in ways they wish they could if they weren't socially anxious and neurotic. It doesn't cure social anxiety at all, and the "courage" is only ephemeral. Having fun without alcohol requires you to challenge your social anxiety and express the opinions and thoughts you're holding back. It's this suppression that's causing you to not have fun. Just express it, don't suppress it.