I think stopping drinking was a response to exactly that -- it got out of control, then people quit.
At least in NYC that's when we saw the first non-alcoholic "liquor" stores emerge. Because people still want a sophisticated treat to sip to mark the end of the day.
Can confirm, that's how it went for me and at least a few friends who I've talked to about it. I went from rarely drinking to heavily drinking to now drinking even more rarely. I let it get way too out of control (mostly in frequency, nothing life-destroying or dangerous to anything/anyone but my body potentially) and even after admitting it was an issue it took a while before I kicked it. Glad I did. It made me look at drinking in a whole new light, especially about just how pervasive it is in society. The joke I've heard a number of times before along the lines of "It'd never get approved if it was introduced today" feels pretty apt. Even something like marijuana seems many times safer than alcohol.
Good for you on cutting down. Alcohol can slowly increase and turn into a drinking problem. Years ago I started having a beer after work and it turned into two over time then every day. Now I may grab a lower abv beer on the weekend but the entire situation could have turned easily into a long term drinking problem.
Try your local health & wellness shop. (you know: the place you get non-FDA supplements, expensive toothpaste, and anything Himalayan salt)
Mine has had a non-alcoholic wine + spirits section growing steadily over the past 12 months from a couple random bottles, to a full floor-to-ceiling section of 40+ options.
At least in NYC that's when we saw the first non-alcoholic "liquor" stores emerge. Because people still want a sophisticated treat to sip to mark the end of the day.