Hang in there Philo, Interesting that some people will say that a persons only chance is a clinic, another will say AA. Without ever meeting or knowing that person. Bottom line is what works for one person may not work for another. Personally, i was pleasantly surprised with AA as I listened to rumors that it was going to be a religous revival of sorts. Nothing could be further from the truth. 99% of discussion never involves religion in my experience.Many, dont even have the higher power quest in there recovery. I have met many that say the only thing that has kept them sober is AA despite hospitals and clinics. So really, it depends on the person and what works for them. Trying anything is better than drinking! I have been dry 15 days straight and 24 out of 25 days,(1 relapse 2weeks ago. And the association and extensive experience i listen to at the meetings really help me. People like Philo reached out and really cared and helped and i never had that before.....off to a meeting.... Thanks!.....

Hang in there, Speicher, it only gets better.....you're so right, the fellowship of other members is critical. If you're anything like I and many others were, you'd either become a bit of a recluse or were spending time with other heavy drinkers, or drinking alone in some bar somewhere. You'll not meet a finer group of helpful people than in AA, in my opinion. We all need each other.

The problems with addicted people are multiple but 2 very important reasons are:

1. that they are (very) sick
2. as long as they drink they lie and cheat to themselves and others in order to try and get the alcohol/drugs they need.

Whether AA or a clinic (AA has clinics in many countries also) is best for one patient is a decision to be made by a specialist together with the person involved and/or his/her family. In many cases the patient is not strong enough to make that decision him/herself.

The (American) wife of my nephew is a well respected authority expert on alcohol and drugs addictions in the US and in Europe as well and she confirmed that the problem with alcohol-addiction is much larger than with drugs and harder to cure since alcohol is available on every street corner so to speak and relatively cheap in comparison to drugs.

It's harder to get 100% cured (long term!) and that's why I suggested that a clinic for the OP is better than a walk-in AA treatment; especially if he's drinking continuously for 30-40 years (....) like he mentioned himself.

But, it's up to him and other addicted people:

Is A.A. For You?
Twelve questions only you can answer:

http://www.aa.org/lang/en/subpage.cfm?page=71

Good luck to everybody.

LaoPo