No, fair enough.
But there are differing degrees of addiction, and as you haven't made a lifetime committment, perhaps you are one of the lucky ones who can do that.
I will freely admit that I am, how you say, still doing field study in the area, but I certainly have no allusions about what addicts choose first.
Addicts don't generally want to be addicts.
And the saddest thing is to watch them swear off the booze, and say "Never again", only to be gone again in one week, two months, or in my case, three years.
Of course you have to plan ahead, otherwise one might just as well lie down and put your toes in the air.
But I can only speak for myself when I say that whatever method you use to stay off the booze, if it gives you hope and changes your life, then it's a good method. And that includes AA
I have never found it to be too much on the religious side, in fact quite the contrary. Spiritual yes, religious no, and I've been hanging around those rooms for 9 or 10 years. My problem seems to be that my will power isn't enough, I wish it was.
There are greater things than me in this world. If I thought otherwise I would be conceited, and therefore in the danger zone. There is a difference between "dry" and "sober".
And I, along with many others, need to be aware of our common problem every day. Nobody said anything about letting it rule your day. But the urge to drink, as you may have experienced, will take over your day and just turn it to shit. That's why I have to be aware. Doesn't always work, but there you go. Every day that I don't drink, it's a good day.B.