SoberRightNow,
Most of those people in the meetings with some long term sobriety didn't get (and stay) sober by going to meetings. They got (and stayed) sober by taking the actions outlined as program of recovery in the book Alcoholics Anonymous.
It's just not about a short term, I feel better for a minute while sitting in a meeting. It's about taking the actions to get some power in my life that I need to stay sober. It's about a revolutionary change in the way I react to life.
I will not get that change by sitting in a meeting. I am promised that change, however, by taking the 12 Steps. Works every time.