[ahh]

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.)

[agumonkey]

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).

[kelnos]

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.

[watwut]

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.