I always was a bit of a party type and the drinking went hand in hand with that. It got to the point where I was going out every night after work, often closing the bar down, coming in to work half cut still, missing band practise, standing up my girlfriend regularly, getting hammered alone, etc. This went on for years until one day I broke down and knew something had to change. I quit cold turkey for over a year on my own. I looked into things xjw for the first time and there found one of the reasons for my self destructive habits. I changed my habits and priorities, lost a few "friends", felt like an outsider in certain circles but gained a lot of self respect and a better state of being.
That was a few years ago now and though now I sometimes drink on the weekends, it's something I watch out for. I don't drink when I'm feeling down or just because. I say no when invited out for drinks after work. I don't drink alone. I don't drink & drive. I stop myself before crossing the Rubicon. I know where the road leads to and I didn't like being there. Of course, that doesn't matter when you're half in the bag but it's the choice before that I make, which can be tough sometimes because the mind seems to work against you and you find yourself following where the feet are running to.
One day at a time.
BTW, here's a post I made some time ago on the subject. I hope you find it amusing,....:)
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/9/116848/2052560/post.ashx#2052560