So one of things that I was taught in AA was to have an escape plan when I feel uncomfortable in a social setting.
I think this good advice for early sobriety when things are still a bit tenuous and a solid foundation is not quite established. After awhile though I think spreading our wings is good thing in order to embrace and live a full life without fear or restraints.
I like to ride bicycles. If you took the handlebars off of a bike and then gave me the bike to ride, I would be lost, uncomfortable, and anxious. However that shouldn't really slow me down and take away the pleasure I get from riding. I could once again ride the bike by getting over my initial concerns and learning some new strategies and techniques. Those skills would be new and foreign to me at first, but with practice, I would soon be freestyling and smiling.
When I was a drunk, alcohol was my social situation handlebars. In recovery I have discovered
who needs handlebars?