I already go out drinking quite often, usually with friends but sometimes I have gone to my local pub on my own. Dunno if I want to make more of an effort with that, because I worry it could impact my health unless I go cold turkey and only drink non-alcoholic stuff.
Talking to others is a challenge and is something I really have to be in the best place to do. Alcohol doesn't really lower my inhibitions as much as it did and I find myself withdrawing more if anything.
You might want to try it with ordering virgin drinks when out alone. See it more as focusing on practicing socialization over an opportunity to drink. Ideally you'd get better at that skill sober, so it makes sense not to drink alcohol when practicing too.
It's more about it being a format where other people are more open to socialization with strangers too.