I think the difference between quiting smoking and quiting alcohol is that quitting alcohol is truely a lifestyle change. Cigarettes do not change your personality alcohol does as do drugs. I have been sober since 9-1-07 and I don't work a formal program but that's mostly because I'm very much a loner. I did go to AA in the beginning and it was an awesome place to start and I continue to work my version of the 12 steps and if I ever feel myself beginning to slip I would go back to AA and feel comfortable with that.
Judy