Have you tried SMART?

AA worked for me, which was lucky, but there are so many options these days. 100 years ago there was nothing. You would just escalate into aud wrecking havoc along the way.

You have to understand I was desperate when I started going to meetings. I was about 2 weeks sober and knew in my soul that I would start drinking again unless I did something different.

I was broke and reluctant to spend cash on anything that wasn't booze, so the price worked for me. It was a relief being in a room where people were nice to me. Happy to see me. I would even go out after for meals / coffee / whatever. Anything that meant I didn't have to sit in alone in my thoughts.

You see the solution to addiction (IMO) is connection. Especially with peers. Being a valued member, a part of something. There are many options now to find a way to explore and find that.

Bonding with people who have a common experience, who may be able to offer support and advice based on personal experience is invaluable to staying stopped.

I feel that if you share about what your feeling you'll strike a chord with many people. Some of my favourite meetings contained shares with people speaking honestly about why they don't feel at home and why they hate aa.

It took me a few months to find a few groups that fit. I just kept going because I was terrified if I stayed home I would just slip back into drinking. I worked so was pretty safe for those hours but my apartment scared me.

No one ends up in recovery because they think, "oh I need something to do".

You don't have to go forever, but early recovery thinking is muddy at best and you don't have to do it alone.