Kboys,
sure it's possible without AA. i've done it
however, and it is a BIG however, i tried a gazillion times by myself and couldn't do it. this time around, i joined a secular recovery organization every day on their online forum, went to a weekly face-to-face meeting for a couple of years, immersed myself in books about recovery (the A.F. book SoberJennie mentions was a good one for me). in other words: i got engaged with others and participated.
but yeah, sure, it's doable.
but I just wonder, from his perspective, since nothing has changed, why should I believe he won't go back to drinking, without some form of support?
yes.
i'd wonder, too
it's an excellent question.
the things he blamed his drinking on that haven't changed. and the "slip", which is a term that minimizes a return to drinking.
take care of yourself. best thing you can do.