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> study suggested that up to a quarter of young alcoholics have a social anxiety disorder

Causation? Anxiety makes you drink or drinking makes you anxious?

I've always heard that alcohol is a cure for social anxiety...

I've always heard that it's "social lubrication".

It might relieve it temporarily, but one common effect is heightened anxiety once you sober up:

And even if you don't get an immediate rebound effect, in the medium term it can still worsen your anxiety.

from my experience being a drunk and having lots of drunk friends - both