I had a period of sobriety of 18 years and never went to an AA meeting while quitting. I did go to one meeting with a friend, but I hadn't had a drink for several years at that point, and I was just curious about AA since I knew other people who went to meetings. I didn't even know what the Steps were.
There are many ways to stop. I think in one way or another the essence of the steps got to be part of my life during those 18 years because the steps are a basic common sense way to live life. I've always believed in a power greater than me so that wasn't a stretch. All I had to do is seek a better way of life.
Lots of people just stop. It doesn't have to be AA.