Down, I understand in one sense, where you are coming from on this, about AA. The main thing I have always strongly disagreed with about AA and NA is that you will never break totally free from being "an alcoholic" or "an addict." That philosophy is so totally opposite from what I believe that everyone can change, and, that God can do all things.

They use the prayer, but then forget the power behind it!

So, in that sense, that you can" never leave" AA or NA,[inference is because you will always be a drunk] yes, it does appear rather cultic, doesn't it?