I was a right royal rude prick yesterday and missed this reply.
Congratulations on the 8 years!!
I went 13 years myself not so much because I had a drink problem as such. I just got a bit of a darker side which is probably my more real side (hey ho) short version I like to drink and fight so I stopped and stopped going out as well. I got into brewing my own stuff at home and my 4% IPAs used to somehow come out at 13-20% LOL
So I got into spirits. I don't go out to drink as much and if I do I only have real ale or vodka. Sounds daft there is a real dark connection when I have larger and I am a massive asshole who has spent far too many nights in the State owned Law Enforcement B&B (police cell) something about that stuff is rocket fuel and just bad memories and habits.
Continue on the sober path for whatever the reason all the best to you