Probably the most important thing about quitting alcohol, or at least cutting back, is to determine which members of your social group are intentionally or unintentionally fueling the addiction. I've noticed a disturbing trend with alcoholics where they seem to adopt more serious alcoholics into their social group as a tool to justify their own comparatively tame alcoholism. I like to have a few drinks but man, Johnny... that guy is a REAL alcoholic. Let's buy him some drinks and watch him fall down! Anyone who gets uncomfortable or defensive over another person quitting any addiction is a dangerous influence. If they can't accept you as a non-drinker then you need to be willing to cut them loose.