90 years ago today, Dr. Robert Smith took his last drink, and Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in Akron, Ohio, United States, by him and Bill Wilson.
Alcoholics Anonymous - Wikipedia
AA methodology is problematic in several ways, but it has helped a lot of people.
I’d like to see a science-based approach be common, instead of people just getting told to go to a meeting. Just like with any other illness, medical treatment works best with outside therapy - break a leg, get it set, cast, and follow up with physiotherapy; depression, find a medication that helps and get therapy. Why is alcoholism (or more generally, addictions) specifically a pull yourself up by bootstraps problem? Naltrexone exists.
At least programs like SMART Recovery exist, but as you said, it would be even better if there was less stigma.
AA meetings vary widely based on type and location.
In my experience AA is well suited to helping sober alcoholics stay sober and relapsed alcoholics get back to sobriety.
What it's not good for is understanding alcoholism as a disease and understanding why an individual drinks to excess. For that you're better served by comprehensive treatment from medical professionals/counselors.
With absolutely no scientific evidence supporting their methodology. Just vibes based. Jesus had 13 apostles? That's a good number- let's make it 12 steps!
And still no evidence that AAA is any more effective than any other program or methodology.
I think AA is better than AAA for recovering addicts, but AAA far outclasses AA in towing and other emergency car services.
Ah, nothing better than helping people out with 2000 year old stories