It's totally a cult. About every meeting you hear that you can be too smart for the program which sounds just textbook cult to me. And why does no one else realize that if you gauge the success of AA based on meetings with people who it worked for then you are only going to hear from people who it worked for? (I'm pretty bitter about 12 step. FYI.)
AA has embedded itself into mainstream America culture. Does it work... somewhat it seems... there are more effective treatments but one on one time with a therapist runs 120-200/hr and you need a lot of appointments (assuming you get a non quack, which is kind of a gamble). Group therapy is also less effective but cheaper to administer
The ubiquity of AA is counterproductive to recovery in America and even addiction research IMO. It's incredibly ineffective for most and the general attitude of members has absolutely led to deaths for a variety of reasons including its reliance on God, amateur medical advice from drunks and the basic belief that one can't get better until after rock bottom. The common wisdom in the US that AA can help your loved ones is naive and dangerous. That most treatment facilities here rely on 12 Step is evidence of AA preventing progress on the subject.