I suspect that you may get a lot of responses to this; I think everyone's situation is unique. There are strategies that you can use to reduce drinking. Look up Rational Recovery, which is an alternative to AA. There's also probably some information on the term "harm reduction" that might have some helpful steps to cutting down. Understand, though, that the underlying premise of both of these is to get you to a point where you reduce the need to less than nothing - which is to stop drinking all together.

Though I've not been in trouble with alcohol, I have been on the fence for years about abstaining completely. Six months without, I realized that I was able to drink in moderation and survive well. I enjoy the taste of beer with a meal, and sometimes on its own.

By the way, I'm nearly 50 now...among my regrets are that I didn't cut down my drinking until just a couple of years ago. Best of luck to you.