Not the op, but I agree, I was unknowingly thrust it the new plot, spent HOURES stuck in that fucking office.
I pulled through though, and I was told to jump two chapters, so I went back to the old plot, and it is too similar, and again I am stuck in that office.
Cutting the summer drinking binge all together will help the pacing so much, and hiding the new plot until it is ready (or at least the first act is) will too.