AA saved me from ME. I have 5 yrs now and much better mental and physical help. Most people coming out of detox/rehab were in there for a reason. Drugs-Alcohol or both. After a Detox which you need before going to rehab or out-patient to ween you off your self prescribed meds. Most people today are multi-addicted--(smokes- alcohol-street drugs--scrip drugs). AA takes them all. % yrs ago when I cleaned up 9 out of ten were drinking and popping painkillers or downers gotten from doctors and friend and half of those were women. The failure rate is 95% but going on the other path the failure rate is 100% . Once the drugs/alcohol comes out (which are just symptoms) you have the REAL problems to deal with. I havn't been to a meeting in 3 years but I can tell you there are days I REALLY needed one. By the way OP you sound more cultish than AA.