hi Betterlife, my experience with social non-drinking is just the same as yours. I don't say it's for everyone, but knowing I'm not going to drink makes it easy for me. Before I took drinking out of the picture for good, I'd go through all sorts of torture about should I? how much? etc.
I agree with the eating early, and I like to get a large soft drink in my hand as soon as I arrive. Has to be large as I tend to drink more when I'm nervous.
I went out on Friday night and although everyone was drinking very moderately I got to drive them home. I like doing that.