Good luck with your lifestyle changes @positiveninja2 I look forward to hearing how you are getting on.
I stopped drinking alcohol about 4 months ago for similar reasons to those you describe. I wasn't ever a huge drinker but the evidence is building on the negative impacts alcohol has, and I don't want to be taking the risk any more. The only downside I've found is the reaction other people have to me not drinking.
RE: Taking health for granted