You're not destined to fail if you don't work the steps.
I attended mandatory AA meetings (signed attendance verification required) for 1 year, as part of my formal alcohol-outpatient program.
I attended the meetings religiously, created friendships, listened, and occasionally offered comments.
I didn't get a sponsor, nor did I work the steps. (...although I bought both the Big Book and "12 and 12" and have read them several times-- along with lots of other addiction literature. I still do.)
So, AA was a part of my treatment, although not in the traditional AA sense. I do have my 1 year chip and made it into a keychain...which I treasure, along with my clinic completion chip.
For me, the great thing about AA is the comraderie. We're all just the same--- reaching for the same goal. Listening to peers at meetings was very valuable to me in my recovery.