John - you've had so many thoughtful and supportive comments here in this thread, I feel redundant by adding my own. I do agree with so much that has been said, though, and agree that alocohol can be a powerfully destructive force.

Clearly AA is an organization that will help you. I realize that some peopl harbor anger toward expressions of faith in any form, but even if you have little or no faith yourself, AA is still the place I would urge you to start. I hope you would not let your personal religious convictions stand in the way of letting this organization help you.

In my own experience (I do not drink at all, now) - I do not believe I was alcoloholic; though I drank 1 to 3 beers each day for years, and occasional party days of excess - I loved beer and never have wanted to give it up, but at a routine physical discovered that I have a very high tri-glyceride level, a condition that will cost me years of my life. Every drink I take now shortens my life. It was as easy choice; I gave it up immediately, and have never regretted it. I have also been surprised how easy it was to go without it.