A Complex Relationship Between Co‐occurring Social Anxiety and Alcohol Use Disorders: What Effect Does Treating Social Anxiety Have on Drinking?

Abstract

Successfully treating social anxiety symptoms with paroxetine does not reduce drinking in dual-diagnosed individuals who are not seeking treatment for alcohol problems. Paroxetine does, however, reduce reliance on alcohol to engage in social situations, and may change the reasons why one drinks (such that drinking occurs for other reasons besides coping with anxiety). These results have implications for staging of social anxiety and alcohol treatment in individuals with the co-occurring disorders presenting to a mental health or primary care provider.