You can manage it sober. Alcohol is telling you you can't.
Yes when you quit there is bound to be a big empty spot, but this is normal, we all go through it. If you are like me, my life revolved around alcohol. And to stop abruptly was a MAJOR change in everything I do. And alcohol still has his foot in the door, and is trying to shove it back open. All we have to do is shove it closed. Drinking is not an option.
I think a lot of my problem the last time I almost drank, was I (or alcohol) had some how convinced myself that drinking was an option. I started reading the 4th step 12&12, and since then, I have it straight in my mind again.
Drinking just isn't an option, so I might as well just forget about it.
Fred