I stayed clean & sober for ten years on my own.
Then I started going to NA/AA and I learned what recovery meant.
I also learned how to interact with people on a face to face basis without feeling 'less then' and/or nervous. I basically decided it was time to 'grow'. I just had to get over myself first, and quit whining. Just my story.
We all face the same choices. I figure if I do everything I can, I increase my chances of success.