Nonsense. Which of the steps says that?
That's what AA and other 12 step organizations always say, you said it yourself:
The alcoholic who just stops drinking -- South Park's simplistic "solution" to Stan Marsh's imaginary problem -- is just a dry drunk, a relapse waiting to happen. For the solution to be permanent and effective, there are 11 more steps to go through,
According to 12 steppers 12 step is the only way.