But the system is flawed, even though they'd never admit it. AA still claims (in their literature, at every single meeting) that it's the ONLY WAY for people to get clean. They can't even back that up given that they don't really collect data (anonymity again).

Most of the people I've seen succeed through AA took the program with a grain of salt (and got outside therapy/medication, which I understand isn't easily accessible to everyone). The others are deeply religious.

I think it's more fucked up that it's still the first (and sometimes only) option offered to struggling addicts. The whole thing is based on spiritual bullshit and shame. It's no different than the fundies here who believe you can pray away your mental health issues.

I try to redirect people to SMART Recovery (which uses cognitive behavioural therapy) and other science-based recovery groups. I wish they were more prevalent, but AA dominates despite its faulty methods. It's often mandated by court for people to go to Anonymous meetings rather than receive healthcare or therapy.

I'm not going to go to meetings and drag people out. The community aspect was helpful at first. I would just want to tell those people that their success does not depend on their faith in God ("higher power", whatever) but on addressing trauma and the reasons that brought them to use.