re: 12 Steps vs other methods in recovery

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Any of you folks had hang ups? What did you do?

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I'm a little over 3yrs sober (12/16/2020). I had tried AA in the past off and on and it never worked for me.

When I quit this time I white knuckled for 4 months and then did some group outpatient therapy that really helped for the next 4 months. It gave me the tools I needed to be successful long term.

Since then, I drink lots of La Croix and N/A Beers to crush any passing urges and otherwise keep an open dialogue with a few close friends about my struggles.

Anytime I start having some wandering thoughts, I play it forward and know where it'd end up. I like my life and don't want to go back to being a slave to alcohol.

My way certainly isn't for everyone, and I was pretty deep in the hole when I stopped (15ish beers/day), but it works for me.

Having said all that, AA is popular largely because it has helped so many people. Find the right group to be a part of in whatever capacity that means for you and lean into it. Remember, idle hands are the devil's playground.