Originally Posted by
helloxdarling 
"Okay, how can I get by, do better, but still drink once in a while"
I tried this for years before finally quitting alcohol completely. I thought it would really suck not drinking, but was totally wrong. I went to IOP. The last thing I wanted to do was group therapy. I can be very anxious talking in groups. However, it got better and better. I forced myself to my first AA meeting too. I kept going and have a home group with familiar faces that I'm comfortable in now. It can also be nice meeting with a sponsor 1 on 1. I think the more time you have abstinent from alcohol your brain readjusts and some of the anxiety will go away naturally. Then after that I think it was important for me to learn how to handle anxiety without alcohol. The meetings and working the steps helped.