Agoraphobia And AlcoholAgoraphobia and alcohol occasionally go hand in hand. It can be really tempting to drink to reduce feelings of anxiety. The trouble with using alcohol to self medicate agoraphobia is that it while it actually does temporarily reduce feelings of anxiety it doesn't address the underlying causes. 
The Trouble With Alcohol Is It Works!I love a glass of wine after dinner and I love a cold beer on a hot day. I am not at all against drinking.But everyone knows that when you start to use alcohol and become dependant on it to solve underlying problems you are in for trouble and lingering on the pathway towards alcoholism. Having a quick drink to ease extreme anxiety or stress is something many people do on ocassion. If it starts to be the main way you cope, you risk developing a serious addiction. An alcoholic agoraphobic is a person with two big problems. Agoraphobia and alcohol abuse are a serious issue. The emotional pain of agoraphobia is so strong you are desperate to feel better. People who don't drink may not necessarily start abusing alcohol, although it could happen. Those who already do drink, may drink more, since they probably think it helps. The problem is, in spite of the temporary relief it brings agoraphobia and alcohol are not a good combination, and certainly not a cure for agoraphobia. The Effect Is TemporaryThose who don't drink won't understand, but those who do, (and even if you don't have agoraphobia and are reading this), will know that alcohol has a way of giving you confidence. After a drink or two, people get a little louder, funnier, feel more open, honest and confident. A guy with low confidence suddenly has the courage to talk to a girl, maybe ask her out. An agoraphobic person may use alcohol for the relaxation, carefree attitude and confidence it gives them. Expressed in another way, they may have an "I don't give a darn" attitude. They may then decide to go out on their own, perhaps further then they are accustomed to, because after a few drinks, they feel brave. They may decide to do this as a form of "therapy" and quickly come back before the effects wear off. Their outings and anxiety-provoking situations don't bother them as much. The agoraphobia and alcohol cycle continues. Drinking brings a quick effect as well as a quick result. But now, they depend on it. They may be thought of as an alcoholic, even though they are not. Alcohol might provide courage but you can't always rely on alcohol, especially if you go for a job interview or to the grocery store at 8am smelling of booze. Use Better, Healthier, Longer-Lasting SolutionsThere are effective treatments for agoraphobia. Alcohol just temporarily masks it. Please don't abuse alcohol. You have many other options. Cognitive behavioral therapy, along with lifestyle changes, can be very helpful. Hypnosis, herbal remedies, self help programs, exposure therapy - these are all methods you can try. Stick with products and programs that work. You have many choices and options that will be more helpful. If you have agoraphobia and alcohol is your way of dealing with it, consider better, longer-lasting benefits. Try not to drink because you "have to". Go to the Agoraphobia Facts page
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