Yes, a long time ago. Some of the groups around here struck me as being too cult-like for me, wanting to hold hands and tell each other all your troubles and repeat mantras ("it works if you work it") and all. Others seemed to me to be populated by too many other pathetic people. One group for actual alcoholics I thought was extremely cruel: you have to fall to the bottom before you can be helped. What happens if you fall past the bottom? I'd already been there.

"it works if you work it" = if it doesn't work, it's your fault. You haven't tried hard enough.

Sorry, I seem to be pretty negative here, don't I?