I will address this topic in a personal and detailed way since I consider that alcohol has obvious social benefits for shy or introverted people like I was in my adolescence.
At that time, shyness was my inseparable shadow, it was very difficult for me to talk to people and the parties became an ordeal of isolation. I always observed from a distance how others enjoyed themselves, while I felt excluded and alone.
That need to connect with people who shared my tastes was a powerful force. At the age of 17 I began to interact with musicians since I was a guitarist in a punk band. In those encounters, music was the main connector, but alcohol also had a role. starring role.
At first I was reluctant to drink, alcohol made me repulsive and I didn't like the idea of losing control, however, the social pressure was strong and I eventually gave in, my first experience with vodka and alcohol in general was disastrous, I got drunk until I lost consciousness and the next day I suffered a terrible hangover.
However, despite that negative experience, I discovered that alcohol turned me into someone different at parties, it made me less inhibited, it gave me more freedom to speak and it made me someone happier and more pleasant to others, in this way, the Alcohol became an ally to overcome my shyness and connect with people.
Over time, drinking alcohol at parties became common, however, this false security had a price, inevitably I began to have problems controlling my consumption, reaching a point where I realized that alcohol was becoming becoming a really serious problem.
I then decided to take action and completely cut off alcohol consumption, this decision was not easy but it was necessary for my well-being, curiously as I changed groups of friends, so did my relationship with alcohol since my new friends did not They usually consume alcohol, in my current circle, consumption is much less, which has allowed me to enjoy social gatherings without having to drink.
Currently, I do not drink any type of strong liquor, the only alcoholic beverage I consume is beer and in fact I consume it very consciously so I enjoy it very moderately, whether watching a television series or listening to music, Personally, I prefer to enjoy the company of others without the need for substances that alter my state of consciousness. I like people to like me for who I am without disguising my personality and I believe that if you need alcohol to enjoy a party or meeting, simply that party or meeting is an excuse to drink.
