From what I know, the meetings in such programs are almost free - they are held on the premises of a church or another tax-exempt body and a donation is requested but not required.

There are many issues with these programs, though, and the issues loom large and, in my opinion, more than cancel out the "free" part of the offer.

These programs inculcate powerlessness as one of their first and obligatory steps.

These programs also have no or little evidentiary proof. In other words, just because somebody attends the program does not make the program effective. Moreover, since I have seen people frequent AA meetings year in and year out without any changes, it seems that the AA is notoriously ineffective (unless it is the case that people attend meetings seeking socialization only). I have also heard one PhD psychologist say that the rate of effectiveness of AA is equal to that of a placebo - in other words, if you try to quit alcohol completely on your own, without any sort of support, you would be just as likely to quit as you would be signing up for programs. The (lack of) effectiveness of AA does not automatically render SA ineffective since the rate of effectiveness of each flavor of a 12-step program should be evaluated separately. The general notion remains though - the programs teach you to be powerless.

Professional psychotherapy is, at least ideally, quite distinct because it does NOT teach you to be powerless. That is a huge difference.