#231 – Episode 231 – Social Anxiety and Alcohol Abuse

VeronicaValli

One of the most common reasons people drink is to manage their social anxiety. Chip and Veronica discuss how alcohol makes anxiety worse and what you can do to change it.

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about this episode

Do you rely on alcohol to cope with anxiety in social situations?

For me, it was a major factor in why I started drinking and why my drinking escalated as much as it did. It’s also been one of the hardest obstacles to overcome in my recovery.

Today Chip and I are diving into the connection between social anxiety and alcohol use. We share our experiences with social anxiety, how it impacted our journey to sobriety, and the lessons we learned along the way. Join us as we explore the importance of support groups, the power of vulnerability, and the steps you can take to overcome social anxiety. Don’t let social anxiety hold you back any longer.

In this episode, Chip and I discuss:

The reasons people turn to alcohol for social anxiety
Why social anxiety is so common
The perceived importance of social lubrication
Managing the fear of having to cope with social anxiety without alcohol
The fine line between self-obsession and social anxiety
How social anxiety has been one of the biggest hurdles for me to overcome
The real impact of social anxiety on our drinking habits
Support groups as a practice ground for sober socialization
The underestimated benefits of support groups
The recipe for quelling social anxiety
Why short bursts of sobriety are not enough
How EFT can play a big part in the recovery journey
Remembering that early sobriety is not how it is long-term

resources mentioned

Mentioned in the Episode

Hot Sobriety with Veronica Valli & Kate Baily – Join us on Monday, July 10th from 1pm-4pm EST, in this live workshop to learn how menopause and sobriety can work for you, not against you!