I was in much the same frame of mind as you. A hard drinker, but still high functioning, lots of friends who drink. I had the same fears and anxieties. Finally, I just told myself to take some time off. As suggested above, I challenged myself to reach 100 days dry. Then I would reassess. If I couldn't do it, I figured it meant I had a problem. If it turned out I really missed drinking, well then, no harm done.
I went out drinking on day 101 — an old friend who I seldom see was around. It was a blast. But I'm back on the wagon. Will I drink again? Probably. But I'm not in any rush. Though I still get cravings, I am determined that drinking not become an integral part of my life again. Life is way better when you don't drink every day. You have more energy, you look better, you're sharper, smarter. It's also empowering to choose not to drink. I've been in bars sipping tonic water with drinking buddies and it's fine, if kind of boring.
Good luck to you.