for a person to get sober?

I think it helps. And it can work. It is a tremendous thing and has saved many lives- kept people sane.

Now- I know I am going to get some thumbs down for this... but I have seen people trade one addiction for another- such as drinking for AA. I don;t think it is healthy for someone to HAVE to go to meetings EVERY DAY for the reat of thier lives. And I have seen it. Although- it is a less distructive addiction.

The only way for a person to get sober is to recognise or acknowledge their problem.

After that they can apply treatments like AA. A related treatment called 12-step facilitation therapy has shown good results. There are also some medications which can help them stay sober during remission like Disulfiram - which makes them feel sick if they consume even a small amount of alcohol. Social support is also important, if most of a persons social group are pro-drinking then this can make it hard for them to get sober - which is why AA - which has an inbuilt social support system, can be really effective.

A good reason to stop usually gets a person to stop.

A baby, a accident, money, law, or any mishap caused by the drinking usually makes the person want to stop.

Keeping busy or to occupied with something else helps too.

A person will need lots of encouragement along the way.

Not necessarily, I believe the other option would be SHEER WILLPOWER. But the will would have to be pretty strong, such as a Dr. telling someone that they would die in 3 months of cirrosis of the liver unless they stop drinking. But even willpower needs a SUPPORT SYSTEM. That is why AA works.

No, but for a lot of people it can help. It depends on the person. Don't discount it just because you think you can do it yourself, try all your options. If you really want to get sober you owe it to yourself to at least try it.

Nope. My mom is living proof of that fact.