From my experience, the influence of AA's overt connection to other institutions is quite secondary to the covert influence upon politics, government, and healthcare (and now American society overall) that AA beliefs have had due to the combination of step 12 and tradition 11, which essentially says in order to not drink, you must proselytize for AA in all your affairs and at the same time radio, press, and film cannot divulge that you are an AA member. It's been a slow but effective massive stealth-like indoctrination process.
I would have suggested to Mentium four years ago to learn a little bit about the Stockholm Syndrome and compare that to his experience in recovery groups. I did that for myself and it was another "step" in letting go of past baggage and move ahead in my own life.