Alcohol took away a big chunk of my life, my dignity, my conscience, my morals, my resolve, replaced by regrets, embarrassment, loss of memory and shamefaced.
I can hold my head up, honest in everything I do without the crutch of booze. Yeah, I still get the urges sometimes to pick up but my life is less complicated, less of a drama and more happy and content without the booze.
That puts the brakes on alcohol. period.