Social Anxiety in Alcoholics Anonymous

For a significant number of years, quantitative research has been focused on the relationship between social anxiety and drug and alcohol abuse. Many articles have found significant relations between the 2 but there has never been a qualitative phenomenological study reflecting the lived experiences between those having social anxiety and drug- and alcohol-related problems. Using the method of Clark Moustakas, the researcher found themes related to those who attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and suffer from social anxiety as reflected by Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (Mattick & Clarke, “Development and Validation of Measures of Social Phobia Scrutiny Fear and Social Interaction Anxiety,” 1998). After interviews were conducted, 4 themes emerged from the data analysis and the essence of this phenomenon was established using the commonalities between the participants. Implications for identification, prevention, and future research are discussed as well as the use of cognitive behavioral therapy for those who are suffering now and will suffer in the future when these comorbid disorders are present.