When I relapsed, I was believing that drinking again would make me more sociable and outgoing. That backfired and made me even more isolated; I preferred drinking alone in the end--less chance of embarrassment and humiliation.
Once I was sober again for awhile, I finally began to accept myself as I am instead of trying to be something I wasn't. I started to enjoy being alone and stopped feeling bad about myself for being introverted. Instead, I've embraced it and it's been a relief.
When I do go out, it's because I actually want to and it's easier to talk to people because I've taken all the pressure off myself. I'll stay for a while and if there happens to be drinking and I don't feel comfortable around that or anything else, I just leave.