I have been to several AA meetings over the past years and have found everyone to be friendly and approachable, however I do have a few relatively minor concerns. People tend to say that in AA you don't need to say or do anything you don't wish to, however I have found that before sharing it is customary to refer to yourself as an alcoholic before stating one's name. For those of us struggling with coming to terms with the notion of being an alcoholic, the prospect of referring to oneself as such in open, is daunting. I have also found myself uncomfortable holding hands with strangers at the end of meetings while a prayer is recited.
I am aware that all meetings are different and have different rituals, but I find some of them be offputting. But if the alternative is to keep abusing alcohol, I guess I would rather suffer some social discomfort. That aside, AA meetings aren't so scary at all.