Wikipedia
Methyphobia (also known as potophobia) is a morbid fear of alcohol, like beer and wine. It is a type of specific phobia. Sufferers of methyphobia would avoid drinking alcohol as well as encountering someone who drinks it. A common cause of fear is the alcohol's effects on person's behavior with more violence and abuse.
Most cases of methyphobia are self-diagnosed and is commonly considered irrational. If sufferers drink alcohol or when getting near intoxicated people, they may suffer a variety of symptoms including
- A dry mouth
- Heart palpitations
- Numbness
- Heightened senses
- Breathlessness
- Feeling dizzy
- Muscle tension
- Hyperventilation
- Trembling
- Rapid heartbeat
- Feeling out of control
- Feeling trapped and unable to escape
- Intense feeling of impending disaster
There are many available treatment options for methyphobia, including talk therapy, support groups, exposure therapy, hypnotherapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. For severe sufferers, anti-anxiety medication can be used ever independently or together with other methods listed.