I have found ever since I have been on the right combination of meds. Plus doing CBT with a therapist the compulsion to drink has left. I know I am an alcoholic but understanding my mental illness I know realize my alcoholism is a symptom of the disease. 12 step programs are a great thing for many people and the steps are a great way to live your life it just wasn't for me. Sometimes people in recovery just believe going to meetings is enough and that just isn't true for everybody. Just my two cents take it for what its worth.