Good for you, Skydive101 
Hang in there. You can do it! I work in (among other things) the theatre world, and trust me, we have our share of addicts of all types… trust me, you don’t want to become like them as they age… Yipes! You’re doing the right thing. Kick the habit, and I have to agree with the OP: get new friends…
We’re cheering for you.
Elly & da dawgs
Another vote of confidence in you here, and best wishes {{{Skydive101}}}
Just leaving that place myself.
Can you talk to a doctor about it? I’m lucky in having one I can see free, and he rocks. Very supportive, and recommended a non-judgemental or religious oriented Alcohol Advisory Centre that we have locally. Haven’t checked it out yet, doing ok by my standards on my own, but I know they’re there if I need it - maybe check out what you may have available. Lot of wonderful support on this board, but finding real-time in-person support may well also help.
Amazing, isn’t it, how much more time there is in the day when you don’t drink yourself into a stupor every night??
Hugs.
You have to stay away from bars and your old drinking buddies. You’ll be white-knuckling it otherwise, quitter.
you had me up till the part about the ex-girlfriends! you’re not going to stop doing that, are you? 
Man, I’d swear you had it made!
Right on, Skydive! Tell you what–next time you’re in Topeka, or I’m in Wichita, we can go out to eat some really greasy food, and then gorge ourselves on ice cream (hurrah for guilty pleasures that don’t impair your ability to drive). I know you’re trying to get healthier, but one vice at a time, man, one vice at a time…
Seriously, good for you! Hang in there.
That’s the key right there. If you’re really serious about quitting, you should start by removing yourself from situations where the focus is on drinking, i.e., bars. Otherwise you’re just spinning your wheels.
Skydive101, you are a brave man. But please tell me you’re not doing this alone. It is so much easier with some kind of support sytem.
When I quit drinking, my friends fell into one of two catagories: they were either relieved or pissed off. Yes, pissed off. Alcoholics don’t want to die necessarily, but we sure as hell don’t want to do it alone. My overly indulgent friends thought I was getting “holier-than-thou” on them and left. The other (very small) group heaved a sigh of relief and told their loved ones it was ok to drive around town again!
11 years later, I don’t get asked too often why I don’t drink. My response will depend on who’s asking, from “I’m an alcoholic” to “Had enough already, thanks!” or “Sorry, I’m allergic.” My favorite line- “When I drink, I break out in spots. Spots like Las Vegas, Acapulco…” :biggrin:
PS- at a party, those people won’t even notice what you’re drinking or if you leave. They are WAY too busy!