Big red,
Why stay home, go to a meeting! Most towns have them at all times from before work at 6AM to some at 6-7PM and at all hours in between. You do not have to be alone, or stay in, when sober. The great thing is that every one at a meeting has been through it, all of it, the good, the bad, and the ugly of alcoholism. I am not pushing AA, but you can make some friends there whatever age you might be that aren't going out to drink. Just a thought.
"Dependent people need others to get what they want. Independent people can get what they want through their own efforts. Interdependent people combine their own efforts with the efforts of others to achieve their greatest success." -- Stephen Covey
None of us can do this alone, and here you have some friends that have been through it all and we are here for your support too. We also have friends here from a;ll over the world, many in Australia and Europe so all night you can come here and get support, help, and hear what we did to get throught he first few weeks, one day at a time.
You can do this and don't have to be alone.