Props to you Tom. Keep on rollin'.
Coincidentally, I came to the same realization last year and cut back significantly. Two observations: (1) I was the guy at the bar/restaurant who got really loud and annoying, and I'm simply too old to keep doing that sh!t and looking like a fool; and (2) I have my mornings back.
Also, two tools: (1) I hate the phones but there's an app called Drink Control that probably saved my life and really puts into perspective how much I was drinking; and (2) Athletic Brewery (right there in SD) has some of the best NAs you can drink. I love the taste of hops but nearbeers never had enough or tasted right to me. Now they can brew with engineered yeast that doesn't produce alcohol, so it's really the same as the real thing taste-wise. No more boiling the beer or other techniques like O'Douls and some of the others had to use which basically ruined the taste. They have IPAs, hazies, stouts, just about everything and I can't tell the difference between them and those infused with alcohol.
I still drink most Friday and Saturday nights, but instead of four 7-9% IPAs I'll have one or two 5% pales ales or 4.3% Guinness. If I have something going on Saturday or Sunday morning, I can take the night off no sweat and could probably go cold turkey any time if I wanted. I just don't need it anymore.
Anyway, I encourage your journey and I hope I can keep my head on straight enough to stay the course on mine. So far, so good.
