I know a few heavy drinkers that drank more than me for years! They all quit for various reasons...navy said enough is enough quit drinking or we kick you out...birth of a new child...just grew up i guess?!
One thing i will say though non of them would have questioned if they were an alcoholic and certainly wouldn't come to a sober recovery forum...i think those 2 actions speak volumes IMO...but if you can do it on willpower great...i could only manage up to a year on willpower and then i always ended up drinking again and before i knew it starting off on day 1 again!