Welcome, Nikki! I'm glad you found SR. I'm a chef so I feel your pain. For 25 years I worked hard and played hard. Many was the night a few of the wait staff and I would sit at the bar or out on the patio and drink for hours after close. My life was a two plus decade after-party. As a chef wine and spirits are a bit part of my work and wine pairings are a big deal. I was a big wine and beer snob.
But it's possible to change! It's been just over three years since I quit drinking and life is a lot better now. No more going from blackout to hangover and back to blackout. No more sweating the booze out at 7:00 as tickets pour in. No more waking up next to a woman I don't recognize.
Quitting has slowed down my social life a bit but I'm 46 so I was kind of ready to stop going out every night anyway. There are plenty of things to do sober but honestly my socializing needs are minimal and easily met at work. When I'm off I like peace and quiet, and my own company.