I’m my experience when I don’t do AA like go to meetings or call my sponsor and do the work. I get super sick by getting restless irritable and discontent. I’m nasty and depressed and angry and it’s just not good.
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The issues that arises with that, is, what happens when you inevitably get an injury? It is bound to happen. I’m am absolutely NOT saying to not go to the gym and have that as a huge part of your routine. But please don’t only rely on that as your only form of recovery. 
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Hey Megan,my experience in AA has been amazing and it keeps me sober and has helped in every aspect in my life. However, If your sober and happy I don’t think it can be said your doing anything wrong at all. The big book constantly refers to alcoholics of is his kind, a certain kind that involves a lot more than just the drinking. I don’t know how you were and I’m not asking but many people today find themselves aware of the problem way before they become a bottom drinker. Its always possible people are lucky enough to realize the potential problem while they are still abusing alcohol, the heavy drinker…. And don’t need the same level of recovery as my self for example. You know you, you know If your bullshitting yourself and just avoiding AA or if your own program is really working.
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Keep coming we don’t get AA, AA gets us. 37 years it has worked for me.
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I think it’s different for everyone. AA personally didn’t work for me, sober grid, meditation and therapy is what has kept me sober for almost three years now. Everyone has to find their own recipe in my opinion. I say try anything and everything in recovery and see what works.
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I know it's possible to get (and stay) sober without AA, as I'm doing it. Everyone has a different path, though, and your mileage may vary. Keep sharing your successes and the trials you are enduring and we'll be here to listen (er... read). Or don't. Whatever you need to succeed!!
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I had the same experience and I also do yoga, hike and walk. I work with a substance abuse therapist and she advised me to find something else and I do online meetings through the Phoenix, I also listen to a lot of sober podcasts and I watch videos on YouTube. AA made me depressed. It’s a great group and helps a lot of people but it wasn’t working for me. It’s fine not to use AA but having something else is really helpful. Glad to hear you’re not drinking, over 9 months for me. Best of luck!
Yes but AA does help. I had such a heartache over the holidays and I stopped everything all meetings the only thing that saved me was my recovery team. Counseling, Early Recovery meeting, recovery coach and my sober friends. The situation involved and still does my one and only daughter. I honestly stopped meetings during that time because I was tired of hearing the happy life stories I was miserable. I have no sponsor “Yet” and haven’t done past the 3rd step and I have almost 35 months free of alcohol. I am getting slowly back into meetings but in my state only so I can meet more sober friends and hopefully a sponsor. But I did not hurt my sobriety for 9 months almost no AA. Maybe a speaker meeting here and there. Sorry but this is what I did. There are other avenues also Smart Recovery I hear is good. Just stay strong. Reach for what is right for you. It’s your sobriety. Take what you want and leave the rest. 
Sobriety is three fold mind, body, and soul. To be happy I believe you need everything you mentioned ( at least I do) I need to be around like minded people who know what I’m going through ( AA) I need to get rid of stress and tension (the gym) and I need a place to grow spirituality (church). The old saying is this if it ain’t broke why fix it🤷♂️.. congrats on your time now go get another day!!!
I also personally think I could have stayed dry without AA but I’d probably be miserable . I found out through the steps and sponsors that it was but a symptom🙏
Same. I'm almost 2 years sober and have maybe been to 4 meetings. My "opinion" is it's a good crutch but my own program is working much better. The stories are the same and it doesn't make me feel better.
I did AA for a few years, but I also never got into the social part of it. I'm very introverted.
I think the thing that helped me the most about it was the fact that I had a place to be at a certain time, so it kept me busy.
I personally got much more out of therapy.
If you're staying busy and getting help in some way, and it's working for you, then keep it up!
If you need (or want) one more accountability partner to add to the mix, certainly AA can be a good fit. Just know it's there if you need it
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I agree but I really benefit from all of the things you mention and AA you don’t have to decide right away. There are amazing people everywhere.
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I have never been sober without AA so I am unsure. I am not a hardass AA though. But I sure have learned a lot and have grown. My sober community means a lot to me. Take what you need and leave the rest.
You might just need to find new meetings. Having fun in AA is key, and absolutely possible.
I think having a sober community of any sort is just as helpful. Doesn’t have to be AA
It’s possible to stay sober without AA but possibly a lot more miserable with sick mind. The idea of going trough the step work with a sponsor and sponsees is to have spiritual awakening work on the disease be aware of it at all times and keep it under some control.