Re: New needing help.....
You are on the right track trying to steer away from situations where alcohol is used.
One needs to understand that far too often people go from one dependency to another.
For example AA in my opinion is just like that!
Replacing alcohol with either religion or AA will not really do much for yourself, other than temporarily shift your focus away from alcohol.
Find a way to build up your inner strength, a bodybuilding, studying, meditating or any other method of improvement!
Become a better person and you will look up to a new sober yourself!
I have been on different roads.
Religion has its place but not as a replacement to alcohol.
AA probably too, I have never needed one and have no opinion on it other than it is only focus sifting replacement!
Concentrate to yourself and life is yours.