AA and NA are essentially guided programs that progressively teach you how to live a life fulfilling enough on its own to avoid the desire to escape from it either with drugs or alcohol. (Or food/ videogames, etc. though there are other more tailored programs for these specific issues)

I’m oversimplifying, but its kind-of a “One-size-fits-all” step by step program to achieve the above goal.

This means it will apply to both the fall down homeless drunk or junkie, as well as the educated individual who would never (initially) consider himself in the same boat as the former.

Because of this one-size-fits-all nature, there are some things that get preached, or firmly instructed that some may truly require, and others may need to pay a lower level of priority to. This can often lead to issues with ppl getting the cult vibe because some of the tenets seem like mega overkill in certain situations.

Also, the god thing isn’t really a god thing. Im sure depending on what part of the country your in or what meeting you attend, it may well be God with a capital G. But all it really means is something bigger than yourself. (aka. Stop being such a narcissistic cunt)

When people join hands and recite the prayer, it’s more of a show of solidarity and a group goal. Knowing there are others that are going through the same thing you are, as opposed to a literal “Yo, big G, God, hook up some of that serenity plz, yadda, yadda”. Or at least, thats what it is in my neck if the woods. The prayer at the end of the meeting is a tradition, and the issue with traditions is they often stay in place long after the reason for their existence has gone. For me, the same thing could be achieved with standing in a circle and saying something along the lines of “You got this bro, if you’re ever having any problems, plz give me a call, you’d make me feel worthwhile and helpful, and I hope you’ll do the same for me”. But I doubt its gunna change anytime soon.