Social reacclimation

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So here is the deal - I withdrew from all social life about 2.5 years ago when I started working freelance - which incidentally is what led me to suspect that I was an Aspie, but that took about a year... and now I am about to emigrate and I will have to start rebuilding a social life (particularly because I have a substance abuse issue that is triggered by my lack of socialising, unless I hang around with people who also use, but I do not want to do that anymore). Now I have two months left before I go and I am freaking out!! Fortunately I am going to Germany, where people are apparently less into physical contact and mandatory greeting of everyone you come into contact with... (stereotype, I know, but different to here, surely).
Firstly, have you ever taken a social hiatus for a number of years and how did you re-emerge into social life?
Secondly, have you ever moved to a new country and had to make friends again? I moved schools a lot as a child, so I was forced to become good at introducing myself and getting into (the least threatening) social group, but as I grew older, I realised that it might be better to find friends that you have things in common with (not drug abuse!) - not really sure how to do that though.

Any advice appreciated!

I'm not really good at coming out of reclusion, but I'm German - so if you have questions regarding Germany, let me know.

Besides an excess of partying I got past some time ago, I haven't had much in the way of substance troubles, but I can tell you this. Since the seventh grade I've been studying code to the point of blistered fingers with the eventual goal of becoming a freelance I.T. or software configuration guy. Last year when I tried an AS focused private school, rather than my American public ones, I was a contracted Android developer (telecommuting). After that, I was an iPhone application tester. This meant roughly 18 months of pretty much no meaningful socialization, during which I completed my high school diploma on my own and kept living at home out of frugality and need of a car to go get some exercise in the mountains. Since I started reading into what went with my own case of Aspergers (whatever you like to call it) my social life came back into existence. In my case, only through working towards an intimate relationship (not something I'm remotely done with) have I began relating to strangers more easily and warming up to old friends faster. That and I listen to lots of batshit crazy music. I'm sure you know Die Antwoord!

edit: This is a truly horrible country in which to be interested in hacking. I'm strongly considering college in Vancouver, British Colombia, so I'll try and remember to keep you posted if I go that direction, college or not.

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I've had many such phases ... actually, phases of increased sociability are the exception. I live in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, but used to live in Joburg from 2002-2005, so maybe I can give some advice on cultural differences (I've also lived elsewhere in Africa and Europe). I actually found living in SA much easier, as all my quirks were attributed to me being foreign. AS is like being an expat in one's own country. Where in Germany will you be living?

I'm in the same position as you minus moving to a new country. I'm just going to focus on developing relationships at work or see if there are any interest groups I could go to often.