Thanks everyone. Yes I feel that I should do anything it takes to stay sober. For whatever reason, I'm not currently at the stage where I have to struggle strongly against myself to stay away from drink, still living off my earlier anxieties over the threat to my physical health. It is true that some people i come into contact with have a problem with abstinence, and I try to minimise contact with them. An inability to tolerate alcohol is seen as a sign of weakness, however the same group also view alcoholism as a weekness, a loss of control. (i'd bet many of them have issues of their own).
Anyway, I'm glad to be where I am. My blood pressure has finally returned to a healthy level, so its even more evidence of how bad alcohol is for me. I do feel there is something special about my current attempt of sobriety compared to the last half-hearted one (which still managed to last 6mths!) because I think I am more prepared to look at the psychological consequences of my alcoholism. Hope I make it to 30days!