No I don't see it as a loss either. I gained much from all of those. Mainly I have stayed clean and sober for 18 years. I could not have done this without AA. I don't feel brainwashed at all by it. Some feel it is a cult and brainwashes you. That is far from the truth. It is a cult in the sense it has its own culture as many groups do. I should still be going to help the next guy that comes in the door and it would be good for me.

My point was just that all of that didn't help the depression.
I will read further on the people you suggest. Today my mood took a big nose dive and I can hardly concentrate. I was doing much better.