Yes, Your drinking friends are always a concern. I thinking quitting would be for the best when I think what I could acheive if I was sober. It is my birthday in a couple of weeks and I am having a birthday party in my favorite bar and I'm thinking of it being the last time drinking. I worry I might go overboard with that in my mind though. We are starting with 3hrs all you can drink and then who knows. I'm always after one more drink it is like my nickname. One friend said he is always sick ever time he has been drinking with me.
I don't know what is best for you with lunch. I have always thought that facing fears head on is the best way rather than avoidance? For example I used to have real problems public speaking but I found the best way to overcome this was to volunteer and put myself up for those situatiuons. If I avoided it I became worse if that makes any sense? I wonder if by avoiding situations you make a huge think about them and it can be harder?