I don't know, amethyst... I kinda tend to feel that many of the sometimes quite adamant discussions and opinions around the AA program are typical power struggles we humans often have even with each-other everyday.
I have not worked the 12 steps, but honestly, when I was drinking heavily, I could never go more than 2-3 days without alcohol, and 2-3 days were already an "achievement" during that time and most often did not happen. That was as far as my "power" lasted as a drinker. And then I used my frustration about it as an excuse for another drink...