Welcome.
I don't have decades, just an early start of almost 2 years come Feb.
For me, like Dee, I had to decide I didn't want to die. I was given a year, 18 mo to live if I kept going as I was and for whatever combination of reasons I was finally DONE drinking that day.
I committed myself fully to sobriety, not knowing what it would mean except I wouldn't die from drinking. AA is my bedrock and my life is primarily and foremost about recovery; from my program, habits, new tools for thinking and living and making good choices, everything else follows.
I wouldn't trade my sober life for a second of my drinking life. I wish you the same peace and happiness in sobriety- the decision to never drink again, acceptance that I am an alcoholic, and addressing how to live sober and well has been the working plan for me to date.