Alcohol is a substance. Abusing it equates to substance abuse. Same goes for prescriptions. Some people get confused and think that the legal or illegal nature of something makes a difference. It doesn't.

I'm the kind of person who buys a 12-pack of beer, and then six months later realize that I have more than half of it left.

It may help with coping in the short term, but it can cause damage in the long term.

I do know this stress of which you speak. My girlfriend's brother died recently, and a flock of her family came into town. It was a constant flow of at least a handful of people, all wanting to do things, go places, or asking to be entertained. When we'd eat, this one old uncle just couldn't shut up, and kept talking as if he was afraid of anything resembling silence.

I didn't drink, but I did crack and lie to them, saying I had to go out of town to help a family member. I ended up leaving town and staying somewhere overnight, so I could have some peace and quiet, and "re-fuel," as someone who suffers Social Anxiety.

Maybe some drinks are what you need to do for now. I hold no judgment. It just can't be a long term fix.

Maybe after the wedding, when everything dies down, talk to a therapist and see if you can get to the root of it and find more healthy, sustainable ways to cope.

That's what I'm doing right now.