I think you're asking yourself the right questions. Maintain sobriety for me is working on the stuff you wrote in the second paragraph. Coping mechanisms, anger, etc.
Before I could do that, I absolutely had to stop drinking. I took it off the table. No matter what, I wouldn't drink. No changing my mind. The rest has been a work in progress. I come here every day and read and post. I attend AA meetings for the fellowship.
Age? I started working on getting sober at 39. I turned 50 in November and I have 15 months sober. I'd recommend quitting sooner than later.