I'm you're guy. Part 1 I've suffered with social phobia since my teens, 30 years.
Some 5 years ago I became aware of the Paxil commercials. Long story short, I tried Buspar... some success, some side effects, Paxil, more effective but more side effects and finally Manerix, better yet but again side effects that forced me to stop taking them.
Part 2 Along with the above medications I became addicted to Ritalin and benzo's and was a smoker. I was a wreck. The doctors didn't know what to do with me, I was sent for psychiatric evaluation and therapy. With options running out, I started to meditate. I had learned transcendental meditation as a teenager but discontinued the practise as time went on. It's been seven months now and I free from my Social Phobia and take no medication nor smoke. I just went to a Christmas party(office) where I would normally be the first one to the liquor line-up...I didn't have a drop.
I still can't believe the turnaround. The freedom from social anxiety is like a dream come true.