I see what you mean, it bothered me when I when I first walked in, and still bothers me today....however once I apply the principle of "take what you like and leave the rest" plus consider when this was written, I understand it better and why it's really not the gospel truth. Some points to consider:
At the time this was written, it was a small group, 70-100 maybe recovering alcoholics, the program was in its infancy, and there were really no other alternatives except mental institutions, which just confined people, they did not really treat the problem. Therapy was really limited ( there was no Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy developed by Dr Albert Ellis, no contingency management, no motivational enchancement therapy) medication options were practically zero ( no naltrexone, campral, antabuse, no non-narcotic therapies for depression, anxiety, sleep disorders) and no secular recovery alternatives (SMART Recovery, SOS, Women in Sobriety, Lifering, Refuge Recovery). These are available now. AA has a lot of good things to share and enhance the recovery experience. A few sentences in it's preamble can really skew ones view of it...I have found that approaching my recovery with an eclectic set of tools is more efficient and works for me. I like AA because there are a lot of meetings in my area and a lot of good ones that are not so dogmatic and judgy, the Big Book has a lot of wisdom that still works in this day and age, and it has helped me. BUT.... it is not my sole tool. I also attend SMART, which gives me practical, rational tools and exercises to handle cravings, triggers, and everyday problems that I used to try and solve by downing a 12 pack of beer. I go to group and individual therapy in the REBT and CBT approach, I attend a group meditation workshop once a week to quiet my extremely busy mind, I am on some medication prescribed by an addiction specialist to help me cope with anxiety and depression. I still take antabuse (my choice). I read books by many authors from many spiritual and philosophical paths. I do not claim to know who is right and who knows the absolute truth. Find what works for you. Any group that claims they have a no failure rate is lying. This is addiction. I have relapsed four times before I put together some time. It starts with admitting you have a problem and then becoming willing to address that problem and asking for help. Good luck in finding the path the works for you. Whatever it is, it's better than drinking. Man was I miserable then.[/LIST]