FiF,
I continued to drink for a very long time after admitting to myself that it was a problem. I drank while pondering, “Am I an alcoholic?” I drank while reading about sobriety. I drank while reading the stories of others. I drank while watching myself get older. And on and on.
I didn’t decide to quit for good, and I didn’t decide I was an alcoholic. Drinking was doing me no favors, so I set it aside and worked to do something different.
I don’t have to experience the most dreadful consequences of problem drinking to make a change. “Rock bottom” is not a requirement. I was still “functioning “, but being a bit higher up on the hill still meant I was careening towards the bottom.
I encourage you to read the vast experience here. And as nez wisely said, sobriety has its own momentum. 2 years in, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. And 2 years ago, I couldn’t imagine saying that.
Best wishes,
-bora