I had reflux that used to give me a pretty sore throat along with major chest pains. I was scoped and found that I also had a hiatal hernia so the acid would come up. They also checked for Barrett's esophagus which you can get from prolonged reflux. That was a negative. I was taking Nexium everyday for years.
Funny thing. With in a few months of quitting drinking the reflux went away. I have not take the meds in over 2 years. No heart burn unless I eat a lot of red sauce.
I would do as others mentioned and get it checked by a Dr. Quitting drinking certainly should help though.