Yeah I did the different liquor stores too...I see a lot of people here did that...And they still all knew me by name. Only advice I can give you on detoxing is...Get honest with a doctor about how much you drink and what you want to do. It can be dangerous to play around with. It's funny that a sponsor is the part of AA that you like...I've seen too many people not try AA because they had to get a sponsor...Go figure. I like the program of AA...I had to stop. Did what I had to do. I heard once that alcoholics were the only people that cured lonliness with isolation....And that hit me like a brick. I have more friends now than I've ever had...Real friends...All fellow non drinking alkies...I'd say going to a meeting is worth a try. There is a whole new life out there without alcohol.