Hey Neal, I know my opinion will attract some AA members who strongly disagree with me. In fact, that's my hope, so I appreciate the message and welcome the conversation.

The solution?

First, it should start with rehabs offering and exposing patients to all different kinds of support groups--SMART Recovery, SOS, Refuge Recovery, etc--and let patients decide what group would work best for them.

Second, court systems need to start recognizing these other support groups, without requiring offenders to only attend AA meetings.

Last but not least, people like me who aren't too fond of their experience with AA need to speak out about other methods they use, so that the general public loses the illusion that AA is the only way to get sober.

As far as grinding my ax goes--I'm just getting started.