Posted by RobertDavid on December 26, 2005, at 13:47:07
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety -- alcohol abuse - support please!, posted by bart on December 26, 2005, at 13:16:52
I used to treat my social anxiety with alcohol. It failed as depression and more anxiety ultimately was the end result of drinking.
After trying many drugs I took klonopin. By far the best thing to ever help with my social anxiety, but you have to find the dose that works. Many try it, take to little and don't think it works for them. Most people with social anxiety end up somewhere between 1 and 4mgs (there are exceptions).
My doctor suggests that people who have social anxiety rarely abuse klonopin even if they have drinking problems. Few increase their dose to chase the buzz (the buzz or sedation typically goes away once you've found your affective dose, but the anxiety benefits remain).
Two meds that stand out if social anxiety is the primary issue are klonopin or Nardil. I haven't tried Nardil, but many here swear by it. I swear by klonopin. I've taken it 12 years, changed my life.
With your legal trouble from drinking you might want to give it a rest for a while and see a doc, get on a medication. If you get some relief from the meds, then perhaps you can find out if you can be a social drinker (or not).
Just my take. Lots of other great advise here.
poster:RobertDavid
thread:592056
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051221/msgs/592225.html