Panic attacks due to withdrawals as my alcoholism progressed. Constant fears of drinking myself to death and leaving my wife and young kids behind. General health anxiety caused by the drinking, yet ironically only kept at bay by drinking to dull the fear. That I got out of the cycle after so long still amazes me. But it was the fear that pushed me- that and discovering SR and reading "Under the Influence." It gave me the push I needed to climb out of the bottle for good.
I was tired of being ruled by fear and having to deal with panic attacks. As I continue through sobriety (3 months now) I am amazed at all of the benefits that I never anticipated or expected. It is truly remarkable how crippling an alcohol addiction is. Mentally, physically, emotionally.