" Why do I crave the little satisfaction of a buzz when there is so much better waiting for me?"
Reasons for drinking are driven by emotional factors, usually feelings of helplessness (about whatever in life makes a person feel overwhelmingly trapped). For me, the first step is discovering or being aware of my emotions and my efforts to regain control with drugs and alcohol. Addictive behavior no matter what it is, always serves and emotional purpose to regain control of one's inner feelings. Once I understood the psychology of addiction I empowered myself to regain control of my feelings with other more healthy high value behaviors that were important to me.
People change, when they are motivated to change. People change when they understand themselves and what they really value in life. When your values trump your addiction, there is no addiction.
Peace.