this.  so much this.  after spending 2 years being forced by my local court to attend 12 step meetings I absolutely can attest to everything stated in this article.  It is a religious ceremony disguised as addiction treatment.<p>I was raised Jewish, however I no longer identify with any religious affiliation.  Being forced pretty much at gunpoint to attend Alcoholics Anonymous at churches where they end every single meeting with the people at your table standing, holding hands, and saying a christian prayer out loud with each other, was absolutely abhorrent.  The one time I declined to participate in this hand holding I was getting looks full of daggers from everyone who noticed.<p>Until this recent experience with the judicial system, I still had faith in law enforcement.  Now, I think we&#x27;d be better off policing ourselves.