Great to meet you, JustPeachy.
I had similar thoughts (like Hewson) in my 20's. Unfortunately, I didn't do what you're doing - take a cold, hard look at what my drinking was doing to my life. So I kept going, trying to manage it so I didn't have to give it up completely. The end result was a life in ruins as a much older person. I never imagined I could be so reckless. You've done a good thing by coming here to talk it over. We're glad to have you!