Have not read any other posts. Did you go to a real AA meeting, or just research it? That is like trying to catch the feel of Florence by reading wikapedia. It is not about god, or clichés or old people who spout off large chunks of their big book bible. Sure there are some- but why is an old guy rabbiting on sound threatening? Meetings are run by people who stay sober- by going to meetings, share and support. THAT is the point. It is free- and my own experience of doing similar research (anything to avoid going) AA works easily as well as any counselling I get- they compliment.