I suffer from depression and social anxiety and am an introvert on top of that. My anxiety made it so bad that I would get uncomfortable around those closest to me. My depression would shut me down from the world for days at a time. Prior to getting help I used/self medicated with alcohol to get myself out of the depression and be able to socialize and be comfortable with people. Now I see a therapist for the depression and anxiety and am on medication for it. Although I should have quit drinking at the time I started therapy I didn't, thinking the meds and therapy would control my drinking to a "normal" level. It didn't, so now I am doing what I should have done years ago, getting sober.