I must say that the approach of AVRT made more sense to this former drunk BECAUSE I was/am quite steeped in the other program(s) for years and it is exactly the separation of drinking and everything else that made it click. Also, the word Nirvana means "Extinguishing of the fire by way of not providing fuel". AVRT is just that. Never will my addiction "live" again as there will be no drink to feed it. Of course alcohol was an uber-attachment from a Buddhist perspective but an attachment none the less. I've let got of it.
I'm really not so attached to AVRT anymore either as it was what I needed to make final jump at 13 days into a 10 day taper--t'was like a jolt. I'm actually not a fan of Trimpeys' dismissal of support groups. Altruism and giving back are the hallmarks of any realized being and this support helps teacher and student alike.