I had a similar thing happen to me on August 1, 2008. I woke up on my own couch with no idea how I got there or what I did the night before. As I became more lucid, checked my phone log, and talked to friends and neighbors, I realized one thing...I never, ever wanted to feel like that again. And fortunately, there was one fool-proof way to make sure it never happened again; stop drinking. I did and I have never, ever looked back.
You know what you have to do. If your friend of 17 years sees your serious, maybe he/she will come around, maybe they won't. I was lucky, mine did...but not at first. I was sober for almost 2 years before one friend forgave me and wanted to restart a friendship. I'm glad she took the chance on me, I missed her but I certainly couldn't fault her if she didn't want to...because in all honesty...I still don't have a clear picture of what I did on July 31, 2008. I know it was nothing illegal...but I do know I embarrassed the hell out of myself and my friend.