Hi Chip....do you black out? Do you wake up the next morning (blackout or not) with the shakes, where you need a drink to chill enuf to eat, drive, write a check?
The easiest way to get your drinking under control is to quit cold turkey. If you need medical detox and/or rehab you'll know. If you do then get it if at all possible.
My experience is you don't or can't go from being somebody who drinks in the AM to being clean and sober unless you quit entirely. It's a very hard thing to do but if you think you can.... try an experiment; try not drinking or drugging anything for a month. If you make it a month, then make it 2. It won't be easy. Going to AA helps. You can learn skills at AA to help you avoid drinking and get yourself back on track. You can help yourself get over any dependence on booze. Good luck.
God bless