I will be honest right off the bat and I did say in my first post on 41 days without drinking that I will not be going to AA.  I read a statistic that only 3% of those attending AA meetings remain sober after 5 years.  To me, that doesn't seem like the program is really working.  Years ago a friend of mine started AA and even back then it impressed me as being very much cult-like and I wasn't even drinking other than occasionally socially then.  As a young family we never had money for extras like alcohol!  Anyway, she came to my birthday/pool party where there was alcohol and that is the last she ever came over.  A few years later she called out of the blue, apologized for something that I can't remember what it was now, told me it was part of her 12 steps then hung up.  That's the last I ever heard from her which is a pity because I thought we had a good friendship which for the most part centred around our kids and enjoying each others company.  I'm sure she had to do what she thought was best for her recovery and I do hope all worked out well for her, still I was hurt over the loss of her friendship.   Has this happened to anyone else?

Those in AA tend to snub those of us choosing to give up alcohol without going to AA.  Well, if I am clean and sober and not drinking with my own will power and support from my husband, how is that any different from those getting support from AA?  Isn't my sobriety just as valid as someone who goes to AA?  Honestly, we are all working towards the same goal just using different methods to achieve it.  I'm curious how others feel about this because surely I can't be the only one giving up drinking without the aid of AA...