I gotta hit some meetings in Upland
Even the oxford groups were having success getting people sober. They eventually imploded (money, property, prestige)
The medical opinion is that alcoholics need to have an entire psychic change, moral psychology - their minds are wired wrong - and they still have not found a way to fix the problem.
AA doesn't keep me sober (I am a member, in good standing).
Meetings don't keep me sober
The Book doesn't keep me sober
My sponsor can't keep me sober
But - mix all this stuff together, and start doing a few spiritual exercises - and all of a sudden my life has been turned upside down and my thoughts have changed. I am the same person, but something has changed. I call this a conscious contact with God - that is what keeps me sober. There are things I have to do on a daily basis to maintain that contact.
But I am part of the softest, easiest way I could have ever imagined. It was there in front of me for years and I just didn't get it. I wasn't ready.
This is just my experience you know....