Hi nonever, Welcome back!!! I am really sorry you got a DUI but you're right about it. No one was hurt (thankfully) and you learned something important about yourself from it. Financially it does suck but it is a hell of a lot better than having injured or killed yourself or someone else.
The one thing I will say about AA that stuck with me (and I am not a religious person) is someone telling me that if I think I don't have a higher power think again. Alcohol became my higher power and that is true for me. I agree it isn't for everyone and there are many paths to sobriety. Some people get sober through SR alone.
Glad you posted.