Being drunk doesn't make you better at socializing, it just kills the anxiety (temporarily) which allows you to feel as though socializing is easier. The bad thing is that drinking is unpredictable and dangerous to our health and mind and its not a sustainable way to live your life.
I also drank to ease social pressure (initially).
In the end I just drank at home, alone, a lot. So it was fools gold.
Socializing sober is awesome. I feel like I have a super power when I am at a dinner, a bar, or a club and everyone is mentally slow and I'm just full force myself and who I am and loving it. It takes time, and maybe some practice, but you can get there.
I absolutely PROMISE you it can be way better.