It's interesting for me to read that your experience is almost exactly what I believed would happen to me. Let us know how rational recovery works for you. I found for me that once I got more than 6 months sober my mental psyche changed and I didn't feel like I needed a daily enforcement program anymore. Sure, most of us need some kind of daily reminder which is why I still come to SR everyday.
While I was going to a counselor in my first 10 months he suggested AA on many occasions but I had that gut feeling about the cult atmosphere that I have heard it usually has. If it works for others than I say great and keep going if it makes you happy. I am just glad to be beyond the mental disturbances that make attending things like AA seem necessary.
Glad you made a choice for you that seems to be the right fit for you.