For BasIam, I agree with everything you say here with one exception. You state "If you don't believe you are an alcoholic, you can't be a member of AA." The third Tradition reads "The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking." A lot of new people come through the doors to determine whether or not they are alcoholics, and may not identify themselves as such until that decision is made. But they have a desire to stop drinking, and that, in my view (and the 3rd tradition) makes them part of the fellowship.