I never realized how much I crave alcohol

I drank a lot in my 20s and got into some bad situations but luckily nothing life altering. Ive now reached unc status and I didn't get drunk that often with kids and all, maybe 4 or 5 times a year and usually when traveling. Though I had been traveling for work a lot and drinking too much, and I was starting to drink like 4 a night which felt like too much even if I wasn't getting hangovers or whatever.

Decided to take a pause, not like a 12 step thing or anything but just to... not drink. It's been a couple weeks now. I have a bunch of NA beers that for the most part fulfill the ritual but I'll be damned if I wouldn't like a real beer or a glass of bourbon right now. I could just have one like it's not a big deal but also like, can I not? The craving is as strong as it is for cigarettes from back when I smoked socially

Brain need chemical