That said, I'm an atheist, my buddy is an atheist and here in the northeast the religious part is really watered down, from what I hear, compared to other parts of the country.
I go because hearing others stories and talking to others about the being an alcoholic is really helpful.
I haven't drank in 4 years and AA was a crucial part. But I've never done the steps ( I can't even call it a higher power, that's lipstick on a pig in my book ). It's the talking to others that's helpful. People would say things, especially in the beginning, that articulated things I'd felt but unable to put into words.
In addition to speaking with other alcoholics I use philosophy, Eastern thought and stoicism, and the occasional use of lsd and mushrooms to keep me off the sauce. I never say I'm "sober" because of the latter part, but that was never my goal. I just needed to quit drinking and I couldn't.
My biggest problem with AA is the religious side. Overall the program seems to help people face their issues and take responsibility for their actions, but the toolkit, in my mind, barely gets them above water. But it is better than drowning. I'd love to see the organization revamp to catch up to the 21st century. The big book is like reading an anthropology book from the 19th century. It's sad how some people cling to it.
One feature of AA that I think a number of people fail to remember, though, is that there are meetings everywhere at many different times. For those that haven't lost everything you should certainly seek alternatives. But there's a large population of people that are so messed up they've lost everything and quite literally wouldn't know how to find help in other places.
Addiction sucks and is one of the most heartbreaking things for me to see. But not everyone that uses is an addict, whether it's alcohol, marijuana, or even cocaine.
To anyone wrestling with it: good luck, get help and know there is another side to your life. The rest of it doesn't have to be spent feeling the way you do now.