Cravings are really difficult and yes they will lessen. And yes, maybe ease up on the dieting. I would suggest eating healthy whole foods. Try to stay away from junk, fast food and processed food. That alone should do a lot for your weight, along with removing the calories from alcohol.
I know that acceptance and surrender are really important for me. Acceptance that I will not drink again no matter what and surrender that alcohol has won. It will never work again.
Drinking to relieve a craving is going to just that. Relieve the craving for maybe an hour. Then its back and its back even louder. I recommend finding other ways to itch that scratch. Exercise works miracles and it doesn't have to be much at first if you don't really exercise. Try walking a couple times a day.
Hang in there.