Originally Posted by
dunkelheit 
... I can't have as much fun at parties with a bunch of strangers unless I have a few beers in me (I have social anxiety, so when I showed up, my hands were shaking)....
I used to think that too, but I couldn't have fun because I had programmed my brain to only have fun if I was drinking - so of course I felt anxious without a few beers in me.
You may find, like I did, that you have *more* fun and less anxiety with zero beers, after some solid sober time. Right now it's your addicted voice telling you lies.