Congrats on 18 months, Duff.
As someone with bad anxiety, I totally get how you feel.
So I approach social situations by telling myself the following:
1. I am not that important. Most people are self-absorbed, in that they are really only thinking about themselves. No really cares what I am doing or not doing. No one is judging me. I am only judging myself.
2. No one will remember what I say the next day. I could say the dumbest thing in the world, but it will be out of people's minds in a matter of minutes. The only thing that will have people remembering is me getting drunk and making a fool of myself.
3. People love to talk about themselves. The best way to have conversations is just to ask questions, listen to the answers and ask follow-up questions with interest.