I totally identify with the grief, and with the fear that I couldn't do life without alcohol. I was so afraid, and didn't want to lose the thing I *thought* was helping me.
Now that I'm sober, I can see it's about choosing something healthier and more positive -- it's so great that I had this choice available to me.
I think it took a little leap of faith for me ... not talking about religion here, just a leap of faith to listen to the experiences of others. To hear that others were facing the same choice, made the choice to stop, and found out it was one of the best choices they ever made.