Mastering Social Anxiety Without Substances & Staying Safe
Brier Jirka, MS, LIMHP, CPC, CST
Recent remarks made by Dr. Mehmet Oz, the current Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), have sparked significant controversy and concern, particularly within the mental health and trauma-informed care communities. His comments, which included the suggestion that alcohol can serve as a “social lubricant” and the assertion that there is “nothing healthier than having a good time with friends in a safe way,” are highly problematic when viewed through the lens of a trauma therapist.
The casual promotion of alcohol as a “social lubricant” minimizes the severe public health crisis associated with alcohol use disorder, which is a major contributor to health issues, violence, and economic burdens in the United States. For a figure in Dr. Oz’s powerful position, such a statement disregards the documented risks of alcohol consumption, including its addictive nature, its contribution to various cancers and diseases, and its role in dangerous, impaired decision-making.
Furthermore, from a trauma-informed perspective, the language is deeply concerning. Many individuals with a history of trauma, including survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and childhood abuse, frequently rely on substances like alcohol as a maladaptive coping mechanism to numb emotional pain, manage anxiety, or “lubricate” social interactions that feel overwhelmingly threatening. This self-medication is a central component of substance use disorders that often co-occur with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions. Dr. Oz’s comments, therefore, risk validating and encouraging a coping strategy that is inherently unhealthy and detrimental to long-term recovery for a highly vulnerable population.
Personal Safety
While the notion of “having a good time with friends in a safe way” is generally desirable, coupling this with a tacit endorsement of alcohol as the facilitator ignores the distinction between healthy social connection and substance dependence. True, healthy social connection is built on genuine emotional regulation and sober presence, not chemical disinhibition. For a high-ranking health official, the messaging must be clear, responsible, and universally applicable, prioritizing public health warnings and destigmatizing sober social choices, especially when a significant portion of the population is actively navigating recovery or attempting to manage trauma-related avoidance and anxiety without resorting to substances. The remarks fundamentally fail to integrate a trauma-informed lens into public health discourse.With over twenty years of experience treating victims of sexual assault, I find these statements deeply dangerous, especially given the complete absence of guidance defining what constitutes a “safe way.”
In my clinical experience, victims of sexual assault frequently recount scenarios involving alcohol, citing phrases such as “I was given a drink,” “we were at a party with alcohol,” “They told me it would help me relax,” or “come on we’re just having fun (while being given a drink).” These accounts often reflect the intentional use of alcohol to lower a victim’s inhibitions. Therefore, to encourage the use of alcohol on a national platform as a solution for social anxiety or to help others relax is professionally irresponsible and counter to best clinical practice. As a professional, I have never and will never advise a client to use alcohol for social anxiety. Normalizing alcohol consumption as a therapeutic tool for social anxiety is unacceptable.
Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
Approximately half of all sexual assaults involve the consumption of alcohol by the perpetrator, the victim, or both. In many cases, victims are intentionally given alcohol or drugs to make them vulnerable, a practice known as Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA). Research indicates that many alcohol-involved assaults occur on college campuses, where intoxication compromises a victim’s ability to resist, and perpetrators exploit this vulnerability. However, victims often face significant barriers to reporting due to feelings of shame or fear of being blamed.
Alcohol is a known factor in exploiting vulnerability: it lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment, making individuals more susceptible to assault. Perpetrators frequently target intoxicated individuals or create environments where alcohol is readily available for this purpose.
Here are links to healthy social anxiety coping
Tips for Managing Social Anxiety | JED
Social anxiety self-help guide | NHS inform
How to overcome social anxiety fast: 8 practical tips to help you feel more confident — Calm Blog