Hi Jeff - welcome
I was pretty much always a heavy drinker but being stuck at home (I was retired in my 30s die to ill health) really ramped it up for me too.
flash forward a decade and I was drinking all day everyday - no matter what started me on drinking I was unquestionably an alcoholic.
That for me means I can never go back to normal drinking. To be honest I'm not sure I ever drank normally - as far back as I can remember I drank to get wasted.
anyway back to the topic, I think a sense of purpose is essential really.
I'm still at home, housebound some days/weeks, but I never lose that sense of purpose and that makes all the difference.
I know whatever comes up I can solve it - I don't need alcohol at all
D