I'm only social and outgoing when I'm tipsy/drunk

[CadeYeager]

This is something that I am not proud of. When it comes to social situations, I clam up and become quite for most of the time. When I do speak out, I feel like I say the dumbest things. So the next time I speak, I critically think about when I will say then end up saying something even dumber.

 

But... when I take a few drinks (not being wasted that is), I'm able to become the life of the party. I can converse with anyone on the spot. When it comes to conversations with women, I feel like I have control of what I'm saying. Heck, I can get numbers easily if I wanted. Basically things flow a lot better from my brain to my mouth when I'm tipsy as appose to being sober.

 

I just hate this crutch. I really do.

 

Anyone experience this? Any tips?

[Weezy1973]

It's possible you have some form of social anxiety (best to see a psychologist to be sure). People use alcohol to self-medicate for these types of things. Alcohol is a depressant so it is technically shutting down parts of your brain - starting with the higher "executive functions" that make you self-conscious.

 

The best way to get over itself is to a) accept that you're nervous/anxious an then b) force yourself to interact with people anyways. Just do it - if you say something stupid realize that you didn't die. Keep forcing yourself to talk to people and carry on conversations sober. Over time, your brain will get used to it.

 

It's a lot easier said than done, but the key is to force yourself to do it even though it's really uncomfortable.

[CadeYeager]

It's possible you have some form of social anxiety (best to see a psychologist to be sure).

 

Definitely possible. I've been this way since I was a kid (the nervous part at least).

[d0nnivain]

Remind yourself that if you can do it drunk you can do it sober. Each time you go out for the next several weeks, force yourself to be social earlier each time with fewer drinks until you can be social before you drink anything.