This is how immersion therapy works. I have a friend who is basically a weekend alcoholic, in order to try and relax and make conversation with new people. In went to a professional therapist who recommended anxiety medication, but the side effects can be very serious.

I'm trying to get him into immersion therapy, because the underlying problem is, he's afraid to talk to new people. I believe that if he joined a speech writing class, or a debate club, he could gain the confidence to put himself through new situations. Alcohol is his comfort zone, and it's doing most of the things you have mentioned.