There's an expression that many of us recovered alcoholics/addicts use, which is "Moment of Clarity." It's hard to explain. It's like the fog lifts and you can actually SEE what your life is and how alcohol is the reason. It doesn't seem to happen for everyone, and in my observation such moments have a limited "shelf life"--the window opens and if you don't (as an alcoholic) take immediate action, it tends to close and once again the delusions take over. It might open again, but no telling when/how.
So I think you first need that "moment" and then to take action. Just trying to wrestle with controlled drinking (which is what most alcoholics try to do) doesn't cut it. You have to be ready to shake up your entire life--it's a HUGE commitment. A lot bigger than it looks to non-alcoholics.