Bizi,

I think seeing a substance abuse counsellor is a good idea. As for the AA approach, that's the norm in treatment centres. You could always request to use a different program, such as Women for Sobriety, or SMART Recovery, but you'd really have to be serious about working the programs to get anything out of them.

Re the Ativan - yeah that's standard too to not prescribe to people with a drinking problem. I agree that a slower taper schedule makes sense, given how long you've been on it. But I'd let your pdoc know what you're doing rather than acting on your own.

Good luck with it all.

splitimage