I know I'm going to be bashed for this, but I still go out - no more than once a week anymore, and no more than 3 drinks of vodka with club soda. I also do some sort of exercise the day after. I think it's easier to go at least a week without - cravings go away, and stuffs.
If you're mixing vodka with diet soda, you're having your body burn off the alcohol first, then you have to work on the diet soda situation (aspartame typically) which can cause stalls.
Just an opinion.