From experience, childhood trauma such as abuse and neglect trigger alcohol abuse. The problem is that many alcoholics think their childhood was 'normal' and don't follow up with a therapist. For example, emotional neglect was a huge issue in my childhood, but it took me until 38 years old to realise this, mainly because neglect is an absence of something and so it's hard to spot.

AA is a great resource but it should just be used as a bandage to help people get through the worst until they can resolve the root cause of their addiction, which in most cases is childhood trauma.