I did not use AA. I did tell myself early on I would use every conceivable recovery method I needed to stay sober if I had too.
I used the following tools.
Reading and posting to SR daily
10 one on one addiction counseling sessions
watching alcohol documentaries on YouTube or intervention
reading This naked mind (in my opinion an extremely helpful book)
I was open to, but ended up not needing.
AA
inpatient rehab
Outpatient rehab
for what it's worth I thought 2 to 4 months was the most difficult time. I was fully recovered at 6 months. I say fully recovered meaning I no longer needed to plan around not drinking. I still have insignificant passing temptations to drink.