How does alcohol affect paruresis?
Alcohol has two major effects. These can operate in opposing ways, making it difficult to predict how alcohol will affect your paruresis. First, it can reduce inhibitions. Because many who drink experience a reduction in social fear and inhibitions while under its influence, they report it is easier to urinate after drinking. However, for many people the amount of alcohol required is significant and carries major health risks, including addiction, liver damage, and impairment of ability to drive, operate machinery, or do work. Regularly using alcohol in this way amounts to self-medication of the anxiety associated with paruresis. Because alcohol does not treat the underlying causes of paruresis, it can create unwanted complications and over time may increase ones symptoms because a person is treating the symptoms and not the underlying irrational thinking. IPA does not recommend alcohol use as a means of treatment. The second effect alcohol has is to relax muscles in the body. Because
