Hello and welcome to SR.
I recently turned 25 but I got sober when I was 24, and like you I had also been drinking heavily for 6 years. I've been sober 6 months now and I am the happiest I've ever been. I'm achieving goals I've set for myself (would never have happened before) and I'm learning to truly like myself. I was paralysed by depression and anxiety when I drank and I can't believe it took me so long to realise that alcohol was the cause of it. You are totally right when you say being sober and in control cannot be beat - that's exactly how I feel, and I promise you that it doesn't get old (or at least it hasn't for me yet, anyway) - I am still excited by the possibilities ahead of me now that I am sober.
Also, you may want to check out AVRT (addictive voice recognition tecnique) it is a method I use and from what you've said about how you stop yourself drinking alcohol, I think it's something you might benefit from - what you're doing already sounds pretty similar.
Good to have you here. Wishing you all the best.