Early on I went to a lot of meetings to hear the experience,strength, and hope of others and how,they recovered from the seeming less hopeless state of body and mind. I went it hear how the program works. But I didn't just go to meetings. I read the big book and did what it said to do soi could recover and get what they had.
Today I go to carry the message and often I hear what happens to people that stop going.
I have had times I slacked off on meetings. Slacked off to the point of not getting to one for weeks. Didnt drink but I sure wasn't happy,joyous, and free.
Today for me seven days without a meeting makes one weak.
I recently started attending a meeting at a rehab and every meeting I hear at least once someone in rehab at that meeting say they were in AA and stopped going to meetings.