And yet, it is the most successful system for people that are out of control! Form follows function. I don't see anyone saying you have to 12 step. You just need to do something that works.
+1

Once in a while, try substituting the beer for some lemonade.
Crystal Lite works best, no sugar added.

Taste good.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1435864609.jpg

I think it is a good system... and I respect that it has helped a lot of people...

However some people will take issue with the statement "most successful"

For one thing the percentage of relapse within that "system".

For another thing it is pretty much the only game in town (Yes, I know there are other systems out there but nothing as prevalent as AA).

My father is an alcoholic. When I noticed myself starting to follow the same path, I quit cold turkey for 4 years (it was a specific 4 years that were extremely high stress; easy to "fall into the bottle"). No meetings, counseling, etc...just the fear of being like my father, and allowing my kids to endure that.

Now, I drink a couple beers (or mixers) on rare occasions, socially.

human behavior has little to do with science...at least at our current levels of understanding.

If it works, then it works.

not even 30 and this has already happened to me. i even love craft beer. but more and more, the cost is more than i want to pay, and so its water, milk or pop. between hangovers, cost, and less Friday and Saturday night socializing my drinking has really gone down in the last 3 or 4 years. just naturally. i do other things, work on the cars, work on the house, drive the cars, hang out with my girlfriend(s), play paintball. more and more the things im interested in have wandered from tying one off.

Scott: to be clear, I've been to an AA meeting one time in my life and it was to celebrate a friend's 25 year anniversary. It isn't for everyone but if you have a problem then do whatever it takes to break the dependence.
I'd rather see someone stuck in AA then in a pine box because they didn't want to go and nothing else worked. I don't even know if you need that level of help. That's for you to decide.

If you are an alcoholic cold turkey with a program is the only way.
The test...try cutting down to 2 drinks per...if that does not work you have no control see the first suggestion.
Sometimes there is no easy route.