There is a social life without alcohol - none of us are hermits
I tried living my old drinking life sober and I only ever ended up drunk again or miserable too.
I had to take some time out - work on my recovery, decide who I wanted to be and who sober me was - once I got that down, I was ok to go anywhere and not compromise my principles for anyone. It took some time tho.
I had to make some changes to my life too...
I went out but not to alcohol fuelled events...I had coffee, went for walks, went to movies, got back into hobbies...
and I had to change some of my social circle sure - but I reconnected with a lot of old friends, and made a lot of new ones.
I don't think I lost out on the deal, & I don't think you'll find many here who think they did.
Those few months I spent working on myself were a great investment for me and I recommend it.
There'll always be other parties and things to go too Etta...when you're stronger
D