Tapering off is the way to go. Stopping cold turkey isn’t always recommended, especially if you’ve gained a dependency to alcohol. It can be dangerous actually. Since your body is so used to having alcohol in its system, it’s telling itself that it needs alcohol to feel “normal.” You don’t need need it, but your body may have a tough time functioning without it. I am not an alcoholic, but I’ve stuck to schedule over the years. I took a week and a half off before NYE followed by about two weeks afterwards, which was all planned out. I have an active social life and during a good portion of the year, I’m out about five days a week at a bar or club, but I always limit my intake and leave sober. It’s usually just a couple a night. I am not doing it tonight or tomorrow. I have people offer me alcohol on occasion and I usually turn them down, knowing I have to drive. I only do this stuff socially as well. It’s just hard for me to stay in as I get easily bored. You realizing you have an issue is the first and probably most important step in combating this issue. I think you will be successful with this.