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Well I went to AA for 2 years and have worked the steps two times with two different sponsors and found it very invasive. And the men and women predatory. I did make lots of friends but the program sucks. I think I could have become sober by myself with my own therapist as sponsors are not therapists but some and most I met act like they are.
It depends, but I do agree, to a point, about the predatory statement. I went to a version of AA when my ex-wife was drinking heavy, for Families of Alcoholics. While I did find it helpful to at least hear other's similar experiences and how they dealt with them, I also noticed a least a few guys there to take advantage of and pick up women.
One woman, a cultured, gorgeous, Manhattan blonde, got asked out her first night at at meeting. I thought, jeez, at least let her attend a few weeks before you try to jump on her. Best thing was, I ended up being good friends with her.
For the drinker themselves, I still feel it's entirely up to them to stop. They need to hit rock bottom and realize..This just isn't working.
AA does work if you are willing to admit alcohol is ruining your life. If you think AA is not working then you haven't hit your personal rock bottom.
I have seen people get periods of sobriety but I regretfully doubt that anyone with decades is telling the truth. If they are I doubt they were alcoholic to begin with. Even the founders continued to experiment with drugs.
I've been in AA for decades but I have never had any substanial amounts of time, and the revolving door of AA is all too real. Most people stick around for 2 years or so then disappear. Who knows if they are drinking or not.
That being said, I think I would be dead if it wasn't for AA. It has kept me sober for longer stretches than I could have accomplished on my own.
Works for some not for others. I have no doubt the organisation has done & continues to do some sterling work.
AA to me, seems like some quasi-cult.
Self-reliance is the key.