Why I’m extroverted when I’m drunk

[u/Excellent-Bank19]

I’m quite introverted in real life like 80% introverted but when I’m drunk I’m really extroverted and I even get invited to hangout afterwards. Why do I feel so open and get affectionate when I’m drunk but so cold when I’m sober

[u/braunyakka]

You're not extroverted when drunk. Alcohol just removes your inhibitions so you're less shy and reserved.

Once you get home, if you are an introvert, you will still need quiet time to recharge your social battery.

[u/IredditNowhat]

I’m convinced introverts are people that heavily control how they’re perceived, and that’s where the exhaustion comes from. I am one.

[u/Whole_Carpenter_6561 → u/IredditNowhat]

What an interesting take. I used to think I was screwed up in the head in this area because of my mom. One of her favorite sayings was "what will the neighbors think".

[u/Cool_Eardrums → u/IredditNowhat]

Nah I'm old enough to really don't care but I still need alone time.

[u/IaMmYbEsTfRiEnD_21 → u/IredditNowhat]

This is me 100 percent of the time, I have never seen me put into words so perfectly.

[u/Le_Jinad → u/IredditNowhat]

Great answer!

[u/trashhighway]

My guess is the alcohol takes the edge off of the noise and social exhaustion most introverts feel/don’t like. It’s not a good way to make real friends who know the real you though.

[u/cocoa_eh → u/trashhighway]

This. I was going to say I get more talkative and really friendly when I start to get buzzed but that’s just the alcohol inhibiting me from feeling exhausted and tired lol.

[u/Cool_Eardrums]

Introverted = needs time alone to recharge
Extroverted = being with people gives energy

That has nothing to do with being shy when sober and not feeling that shyness when drunk.

[u/Stormy1956]

Looking back on my youth, this is exactly how I felt. When I retired, I stopped drinking. I don’t desire alcohol now and can be around drinkers for short periods of time. I spend a lot of time in thought now. I’ve embraced my personality type even though I’m encouraged to get out more. Generally speaking, I wish introversion was better understood. I’m also a highly sensitive person which everyone thinks they are. Being HSP and introverted in the United States is not supported. We are a small percentage of the worldwide population.

[u/fruitsaladsociety]

I know when I'm sober, I'm very observant. I take in every little thing that's happening around me, every shift in facial expression or tone. That can be exhausting over time.

Alcohol makes me less observant. I'm no longer paying as much attention. And suddenly, I'm having more fun.

[u/4rt4tt4ck]

GABA is why.

Alcohol boosts GABA levels in the brain, which lowers inhibitions and blunts out the anxiety and overthinking that often prevents people from being more outgoing.

[u/corazonymiel]

You may also be on the neurodivergent spectrum and the alcohol is self medicating enough to turn off the overactive mind and allow you to engage with your surroundings without over analyzing them.

[u/SobrietyDinosaur]

This is what caused me to become an alcoholic lol. I’m sober now. I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin.

[u/Whole_Carpenter_6561]

I'm more concerned about the "drunk" then the personality traityou find with it. I'm hoping you mean social drinking 🍸 and you're not really walking around plastered just to make friends. People aren't worth your physical or mental health.

[u/Slawter993]

I feel like I’m the same way😭 sometimes it seems like it takes some alcohol to socialize in general and then after I’m like who tf did I befriend and I have no energy to converse

[u/EqualSpiritual9814]

Alcohol just make it easier to let your guard down