When I found recovery, meetings did help me 'struggle' through each day. Meetings helped me 'hear' how the steps helped others.
For me meetings are NOT the program found in the first 164 pages of the BB of AA. I have seen folks with more recovery time than your cousin, who attended meetings regularly go out.
I attend meetings sporadically for a variety of reasons. I LIVE MY LIFE DAILY using the tools I was given so long ago. I do not believe that if I were to make the choice to drink again that a meeting would stop me.
J M H O
Love and hugs,