I think you will find that everywhere. I am currently 17 days sober thanks to SR and AA. I was struggling with an opiate addiction as well. I really am not into the steps at least not now and may never be. if it weren't for the fellowship of AA I could have never got this far. I go to different meeting which help and generally everyone is nice and caring and helpful but I do get that same sense from the older guru..lol..as you like to call them. even tho new thru my sharing it is pretty easy to pick up that I am the go it my way type.
I just keep telling myself the third tradion and keep trudging along one day at a time