I think you have to want sobriety or at least a better way of living, and then be prepared to do what it takes.
I take your point about AA meetings and the other 23 hours. That is absolutely relavent. Though it is something of a misconception to think that you can't be drinking at a meeting. I have seen it many times. So even just for that one hour the meeting is not 100 percent reliable.
The only way I know to take care of all 24 hours is to work all the steps, which is done away from meetings, and learn to live the 24 hour program as set out in the last three steps. That is what worked for me and quite a few others. Of course you would only do that if you were sufficiently desperate to stop the misery as I was.
It is a few weeks since I was able to get to a meeting, yet I am fine. I am now in an area where there are some meetings, so I will make an effort to get along and see if I can contribute something. Good luck.