hello there stu,and welcome to sr.i tried many times to get and stay sober,and i couldnt do it.im alcoholic and im going to drink wether i want to or not against my will.when i got sober i discovered that i had used alcohol as my "solution" to life.so i was never going to stay stopped and live a happy useful life without something to replace my "solution".
i went to AA at the begining of last year,went to lots of meetings and called fol every day 4,5,6 times.after a month i drank again,i really didnt want to!
it was there and then that i realised i was never going to be able to do this alone,i needed something more powerful than me.i had no power as far as alcohol was concerned!
i knew i needed another solution.so i got a sponsor and got on the 12 step recovery programme of AA.my life now is how i never ever imagined it could be! it is wonderful.
all you need is an open mind,willingness and as much honesty as you can muster.
it is not for everyone,but for this alki it has given me a whole new life.
i wish you well.