Drinking used to seem like a great way to get away from anxiety, pain, and fear. It stopped working so well. I still sometimes think that drinking would help reduce stress, and it's true that I stop caring about lots of things when drinking. But drinking also leads to misery for me. I am much happier sober.
I go to meetings off and on. I tend to be shy, so I just try to talk a little to people who I am sitting next to. I also remind myself that the more I go to the same meeting, the more likely I will meet people there and feel more comfortable there. I also find that some meetings feel like a good fit for me, and other meetings do not feel right for me. Look around until you find what works for you. Remember there are lots of ways to stay sober.