Some facts about AA:
1. around 40% of participants drop out before the end of the first year
2. only about 20% show long term recovery.
3. AA preaches abstinence not true rehabilitation which would being able to enjoy a drink now and then.
Some sauce:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effecti...lics_Anonymous
There have been many other successful programs that teach people to drink responsibly and have nothing to do with high powers or any of that spiritual garbage. It teaches willpower and has a high percentage of people completing the program. AA hides behind the numbers it drops with the attitude of "oh they didn't want to get better." The entirety of it is flawed from the get go as it doesn't instill self empowerment but misplaces the addiction which is not healthy for future brain development.