Sobriety vs Recovery

There are at least three issues here: getting sober, staying sober, and recovering. Getting sober only requires that we don't drink today. Staying sober means not drinking one day at a time (AA helps make this manageable), and recovery means changing your life and dealing with everything you didn't/couldn't deal with when you were drinking.

Sobriety is a mixed bag - it helps your life not get worse - it takes a lot of work and change to make it better.

Folks in AA are the experts in my opinion and they have more to offer than any professional. They're roughly 4 million times more powerful than what I can do as an addictions counselor.

I encourage you not to look for any one answer - get several - get friends, family, organizations - get everyone on your side and be honest with them. Let them help you create a better life.