Work is my social life

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Even if I don't socialize at work, It's the time i'm around other people only. After work, I shut down. I suppose this wouldn't be an issue except it seems like to advance upwards, you need to be social. Any ideas of how to develop this skill further without the sink or swim of trying to socialize out in the real world?

ask a friend for help?
i have a friend who litteraly pulls me with her out to socialise, she takes me to very small parties, with just her and like three other people and she takes me to the cinema and mcdonalds (thats the only place ill go to eat tho)
so maybe you should opt for that?

Not sure all my suggestions will fit thew bill, but here they are anyway:
1. Ask a work friend if they want to see a movie together after work some weekend.
2. Volunteer. Not all volunteer positions require a lot of interaction with people. Some require virtually none, some involve interacting with small groups of people (often the same people), and some involve a lot of interaction with a lot of people. Think about helping stock the shelves at your local food pantry, or volunteering to read stories to kids at the local library, or even something that fits a little more closely with what you do for a living. At the very least, it'll give you something to mention when people ask how you spent your off time as well as something nice to put on your resume. You'll know pretty quickly if you've found a good volunteer position for you, and you may be able to mold the position for your own comfort a bit since it is after all volunteer.
3. Think about joining Toastmasters. It'll enhance your public speaking skills, widen your network, and look good on your resume.
4. Take a class at your local community center or community college in something that has always interested you or even something job related. You'll meet people you share stuff with and possibly hear about opportunities you wouldn't have otherwise.
5. Join an interest group. Whether it's a book club that posted a flyer at your local library or a hiking club you found on Yahoo that does hikes in your area, it's an opportunity to meet new people and share an interest/new experience with someone.

If you have a friend you could convince to join you in any of these activities, that would be even better, as it would likely enhance your comfort level.

Thank you for the suggestions. Makes sense. I guess i'm just under way too much stress with my daughter's issues to socialize, volunteer or be alive. And it's really taking a toll. I have no desire to talk to anyone even my daughter. It's bad. Teen stuff. And serious issues. Maybe once things settle down, then I can work on recovering myself

Is there a chance you could volunteer with your daughter? Or sign her up for some sort of class (pottery, computer related, etc.) at the same time as you have a class?