I had a couple of bad attacks years ago and the doc put me on allopurinol tablets. They seem to have done the trick but once you're on them you're stuck with them. Incidentally, although attacks in the big toe are the classic episodes you can get it in any joint.
Alcohol has a bad effect because of it's dehydrating effect. Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.
Things which can trigger it include shellfish, (I think crab sticks triggered my first episode), offal, (kidneys, liver, that sort of thing) and, bizarrely, turkey.
Good luck with it, I know how excruciating it can be.