Yep that daily cycle is very familiar. I think the emotional lift I would feel an hour or so before 'drink-30' was just my brain anticipating the relief of the drink. It would probably start to release dopamine just in preparation for what was to come.
There was a time when I could moderate my drinking even tho I'm quite sure I was an alcoholic. I had already admitted to myself that I was addicted and had quit for 1 year. For whatever reason I was able to moderate for a couple of years. I mean, sort of. Moderation to me meant I wasn't out of control or doing insane things. But that changed....addiction is progressive and it does get worse. The timeline may different for each of us but I've never seen active addiction just go away with controlled drinking.
Doesn't really make sense to think it would, does it? We all wouldn't be here if that were the case.