Giving up drinking

Just like to say it's a shame you edited your whole post, because that was a really interesting read (I read it when you first posted). I think in your situation you should really look up all the damage it's doing to your health and maybe think of living a bit healthier. Are your experiences you've had so far really that great? Maybe you should make a change.

I won't lie, I've had some wonderful experiences drinking. For example, last year I spent a week in Paris, most of which was very drunken and it was probably the best time of my life. Drinking's really fun- and of course that's the problem. That said, I did cut down over the summer as I was seeing an American girl who didn't drink and there I had almost as good a time as in Paris. I guess it's really the company one keeps. All of my friends are heavy boozers and all of my ex-gfs have been big drinkers.

Well.. first of all you have to figure out why you do it in the first place.

Do you drink because everyone else drinks?
If so, just start alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. You're not going to be able to come off it straight away.. you need to cut down.
Another good thing, is looking at how much money you've wasted on drinking already.
Try saving your money, and buying yourself something instead.

What's the best way to give up drinking?

And you have a great time drunk. Since you often can't remember that you didn't.