AA is a program that doesn't work for many people including myself. Although, I understand why people need AA and other programs like it. They need contact with others who understand their situation and a rigid regimen to stay sober. I'm not saying that AA is bad, all I am saying is each individual is unique in their fight against addiction. Some need custom made programs or combinations thereof to be successful.
First and foremost, you have to accept the fact that you are an alcoholic. Doesn't this sound like step one of the 12 steps, well it is the first step. You must accept the fact that you are an alcoholic and admit that it had power over you. This goes with anything, admit that you are at fault and you will begin to feel better and start the recovery process.
Almost the same as the first step to my thoughts of dealing with recovery. Acknowledge the fact that you were powerless against alcohol. You took the step to receive help whether it be quitting cold turkey, a sober living program, or a rehabilitation program. Whatever your path, be sure that it works for you. My thought, do whatever it takes to get and stay sober whatever the cost might be, within reason of course. Don't go out and hurt someone else because you believe they were the cause of your addiction. In the end, the addiction was the fault of our bodies chemistry, a disease. It took over, acknowledge this fact and the next thing is to move on.
I notice that when I go to AA meetings all it does is make me depressed and anxious especially at speaker meetings. The speaker shares their battle with the disease and relives it every time they tell the story. This also makes me want to relive my story and puts me in a compromising situation to relapse. I do not want to continue to think about what I did the days leading up to entering my rehabilitation program. As many of you may or may not know, I went to a 28 day program and have one year, one month, and four days sober at the time of this authoring.
At some point you have to move on with your life without alcohol. Get away from things that trigger you and away from people that will influence you to drink. These people may be "normies," functional alcoholics, or full blown alcoholics in denial. Whatever they are, they are probably not good for your future in recovery. Know your trigger and avoid them or know how to face them head on.
I do various things when I feel triggered to drink. Simply taking the dog for a walk or playing with the cat could be what gets you through this time moment. There are going to be many of them and knowing how to face them is the key. I have both cats and dogs and find myself giving them attention to help me through. I also go for a drive down a windy road to clear my head. What the heck right, I haven't had a drink I can drive as far as I want. If people around you are drinking and it is triggering you, get out as soon as possible. I take a sober friend, in this case my girlfriend to a party with me as my safety net. When I get tempted, I tell her it’s time to go and we leave.
The program talks about service and giving back. There are many more types of service to do then just within the AA program. Volunteer at your local animal shelter, Veterans home/hospital, library, etc. Take an elder family member to an appointment or something. Do anything and everything that will keep you sober and in a recovery state of mind.