Interested in gout

Hi there,
I had my first attack nearly six weeks ago. The severe drug
treatment was effective but lots of side affects. Does it attack the
crystals or lower the swelling only?
I think I had gout because I drank wine and beer (with food) every
evening for years and didn't take enough water before bedtime so as
not to 'trot' in the night! I've put myself off alcohol for 6 weeks
(this is the sixth).
I'm also in my forties and my father had it (much later in life) and
I had a previous injury to the leg with gout (swollen and frozen
knee for 20+ years) but the doctor said this was irrelevant. Walking
is my main exercise, but my occupations are sedentary/office based.
Recovery seems very slow. My foot seems very weak and 'twingy'
following the attack. Does it take a long time to get back to normal?
Diet advice is conflicting (beer good or bad, cauliflower good or
bad, and why is cod and haddock banned?) but I'll look out for
cherry juice, Turkish if possible.
With friendly greetings