It was several months til I went back out into social situations where alcohol was around Mel - I think the few months it took were well worth it - it was a great investment in my future and my recovery
I really didn't care how long it took because I knew staying sober was the right thing - the only thing - for me to do..
you can always do what I did and build up slowly...coffee dates with friends, hobbies, sports...things that are social but don't usually involve alcohol...
D