Yes I have to admit there are other ways. My Dad did it cold turkey for 25 years and never an AA meeting. I cannot explain it.

I have very strong feelings on AA because it saved my life and kept me sober. It has been proven to work for millions of people. (if you work it). Why argue with something with such a good track record. And I have done dual diagnosis. I had to get a lot of outside help due to very bad depression. I tried to apply AA to it but it didn't work. There was dual diagnosis treatment with a heavy emphasis on the steps in CA when I had Kaiser insurance. It was very good. In the small town I am in now in Michigan there is hardly anything. I think someone recently started a group but I don't know if anyone attends, I have not went. So a lot depends on where you live and what resources are available.

My main point here is that I hate to see someone get run out of the rooms because of some ignorant a holes. Especially if they like AA. Fight back against the ignorance but if you can't do that find a group or a set of people in AA that will help you and ignore the a holes.