Her story on what the doctor told her could be true. Although AH would lie every which way about his drinking to protect it, there were times he'd approach the subject with a doctor, or they with him. I've been with AH when several different doctors have told him exactly that --- "try to cut back". Didn't even say come back if that doesn't work. wtf? No, they didn't ask him how much. He was finally hitting near the bottom when we found a doctor who approached things differently, but so was AH. Currently in rehab, but it's been a really long journey on the way here (9 years?) and he was finally ready for it.
Al-anon sounds like a great place to start helping yourself. Sending good wishes for you.