I use AA to maintain my sobriety, AA is not the only recovery program though, so check others out, as far as face to face support and making long term sober friends I doubt you will find any others like it though. I can travel to almost any where in the world and find AA face to face support.
I am going on vacation next week to Chincateague Va. which is just a tiny little Island and it has 2 meetings a week. Last time I was there I found some great folks there.