[dobbsbob]

The idea of a higher power is a deity and nothing else. AA spells this out further with 6 more steps that specifically refer to said deity. They encourage a group confessional and penance to be absolved of your behaviour or crimes while wasted. Abstinence is the only solution because religions do not tolerate anything else. For some people belief in superstition will help them get off the booze/drugs for others it won't work. Detox supervised by medical staff and a regular visit to a shrink to help you with impulse control is all that is needed. Unfortunately this costs money which many addicts don't have so they are stuck with AA who are unable to assess their program failure rate because it would be admitting that God has failed.