Toe,
Imo....it is addiction. Physical and mental. If you don't want to quit, you won't. It is too hard.
Given you drink at least 40 units a week, the physical detox will hurt for about 10 days. The mental addiction is forever.
Our brain gets basted in alcohol when we drink. It adapts. When we stop using, our brains circuitry begins to hyper conduct. We start to act and feel weird.
This weirdness lasts a long long long time. It is tied to our emotions. Happy, sad, angry, lonely, bored, Friday, holiday, nascar, football etc etc....the desire to drink calls to us.
It takes months to stabilize. The brain has stopped producing normal dopemine amounts. Exercise, projects, helping folks, working etc help to pass the time to normalize and develop a sober routine,
The drinking is progressive. Moderation is self medication w a slip looming always.
Our bodies are not designed to drink a highly addictive neuro toxin. It is a learned behavior, it can be unlearned.
Look in the mirror and see an addict. That might help to keep the ball rolling.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.