I know what you mean but I would think new people would be easier than the old friends. If they never knew you as a drinker than you can be everything you imagine yourself to be right from the start (in control and totally put together
Maybe you are feeling a bit hypersensitive about the whole thing too and with time you'll feel more confident and not care whether drinks are offered or not. It's funny cause when people call and say, "I just opened a bottle of wine and totally thought of you" I get a little bitchy! We come out fighting. Don't take the offers of "let's go for drinks" personally. People just say that **** cause no one says, "let's go for lemonade"!