Social anxiety disorder is best defined as an excessive fear of social situations and affects between two and thirteen percent of the US population. About one out of five patients with social anxiety disorder also suffer from an alcohol or substance use disorder. One common theory supposes that alcohol is a means of coping with social fear and anxiety. Many believe alcohol reduces feelings of tension, awkwardness, and lowers inhibitions, thus making it easier to interact in a social setting. This lesson outlines the signs and symptoms of social anxiety and reveals common, everyday experiences where social anxiety may occur. Learn how substance use and social anxiety interact with each other, and discover nine coping strategies that decrease anxiety responses and really work.
