Jim,
AA is the most effective program out there, but it certainly doesn't have a monopoly on sobriety. I've been in AA for years but recognize that it doesn't work for everyone. You need to realize that recovery involves two things. The first is physical sobriety, ie. total abstinence from alcohol. This is not too difficult, actually. But to stay sober you need some program where you attain emotional sobriety, and if you're looking for something other than AA, be sure that emotional sobriety is part of the package. It's the emotional (psyhchological) sobriety that will lead you to a happy, productive life without alcohol.