Originally Posted by
39maleuk 
Is it best to avoid social situations to start with? In house I can avoid drinking by going to bed but I haven't ordered a "soft" drink in a pub for years (about 25).
We can all offer advice, most of us found that putting ourselves in a situation such as this can be taxing in early sobriety.
When you imagine yourself in the pub and not ordering a drink where does your head take you? Your OP leads to the fact that you're already questioning if you can do this. The problem is also that you can plan ahead of time to abstain and can have willpower to the umpteenth degree but that can change at any given moment.
I have been invited to go to bars a few times since I quit. I initially made the decision to go and then decided against it. I didn't want the needless torture of having to face the dragon. Someday I'll trust myself but just not right now.
If you do go keep something non alcoholic in your hand at all times. Understand that the urges are going to be much stronger in that setting.
Good luck.