[daepp]

Most recovering alcoholics will tell you that drinking was just a symptom. When they stop consuming alcohol they learn that drinking was a coping mechanism; that their bigger problems were medicated/treated/numbed by the alcohol.

Like Todd mentioned, various forms of meditation and a strong focus on the hard work of dealing with their issues/character defects is how they stay sober.

As one mentioned earlier, when they stop cold turkey, many find they are no longer able to cope with the day to day challenges of normal life. Thus they return to what ever behavior was working before. Alcohol, nicotine, meth etc.

For many many people, it takes much more than willpower to stop using whatever crutch has worked in the past.

- they stop smoking but start eating
- they stop drinking but start smoking
- they stop drinking and begin massive exercise routines
- they stop smoking and start vaping
- they stop drinking and find religion, or prayer and meditation, or are "religious" about self help and 12 step programs

And for many, moving to a less destructive (or less offensive) crutch has a lot of positives in their particular lives.

And I concur with many here that you cannot prescribe your solution on others.