When I got sober 4 1/2 years ago it wasn't a matter of force. I hit my bottom and knew in my heart, brain, arms, legs, and eyeballs I was done drinking and I didn't have to force myself to not drink at certain times. I just didn't want to drink anymore. It then became a matter of how to make better lifestyle choices for me and to start taking care of myself.
It didn't matter what anyone said or did about my drinking. Until I had a seizure and realized my body was giving up on me did I realize ok this isn't good for me anymore. It was quite an awakening but once I realized the harm I was causing it became a pretty easy decision. Also I didn't have to tell anyone I was changing or how, I just did it, and the results were obvious to everyone.
P.S. I tried all the tricks in the book too. It never works when you apply rules and then force it, the rules consume your mind and then eventually you drink again.