Giving up smoking and alcohol actually helped my stutter. Nicotine absolutely contributes to anxiety, despite popular beliefs. Alcohol may relax some people, myself included but only in the right setting. If I were at home enjoying a glass of wine, it would totally relax me. In a bar or restaurant is just added to my general anxiety. For instance in a bar, if I were a little drunk my anxiety would go up because I was consumed with feelings of fear that I was talking too much, saying the wrong thing, telling a bad joke, etc. Those feelings plus a stutter was a recipe for worsening of my stutter and overall anxiety. It took some time for me to feel comfortable and “normal” in a bar without drinking, but now it’s my new normal. I enjoy socialising a lot more without alcohol.