I spent years trying to get sober, going through all the usual attempts at will power, fear, doctors, counselors, treatment programs, rehab, court ordered programs, etc. All of those efforts resulted in short term periods of not drinking, followed by even worse periods of drunken antics.
All of that changed when I got a solid sponsor in AA and worked the 12 Steps. I've been sober a long time now, just by doing what has worked for a few million other people.