Originally Posted by
ByHisLove 
My husband probably knows that God expects him to abstain on his own?
Yes, this is exactly what I am saying. Your husband probably knows, both theologically, and from personal experience, that the 12-Steps will not "work" for him. The desire will never be removed by G-d, since G-d knows that he is already perfectly capable of not drinking without personal divine intervention.
Your husband knows that the "Higher Power" cannot possibly be G-d, because G-d, as he understands him, does not do that. Phrased a little differently, his G-d is not in the business of removing the desire to sin in order to have people not sin (drink).