M.... Since you are here I assume you want to stop drinking all together. I had and still have a very hard time with not wanting to be at the bar with my mates and laugh and tell stories. It enticing and addictive in and of itself. But...........
To be and remain sober we must make changes. We cannot live the same life and expect different results. You may not want to hear that but it's fact.
You may be shy but he is not the only buddy in the world. I have someone that I think is cannot live without. I convinced myself there is no one else. I know better but still stick around. Not sure why.
Let's focus on you. Why you drink. No one makes you.... Do you have any idea of how you want to remain sober?