It is definitely recommended to stay away from alcohol in the beginning of your quit. It messes with your judgement. I think you picked three words to describe what you want to be earlier: Healthy, Wise, Strong.
In another blog I read tonight, someone said: "What could that cigarette possibly do for you that you can't do for yourself?" Replace the word cigarette with any vice and there is the crux of the problem. You are capable of defeating the monsters controlling you-- but you have to regain control in order to win.
And yes, you can.