The reason why there is so much criticism of the 12-step approach is because it is the dominant paradigm. It has been around for 50 plus years. It has not really changed; there is not a new addition, no a new attempt to reintegrate new knowledge. It is based on theories and models of personality and sociology of the 1930s. It is an easy target, to be frank; that's where most of the criticism comes from. The success rate, also, is dubious. It is someplace between 5 and 15, depending on the research you check. The problem is that it's being applied as a 'one-size-fits-all for all things', and it was never designed as such. Therefore it's easy to criticize its shortcomings in particular domains or things such as that. It is just not, like any treatment, a fix for everything that ails you. Yet traditionally, the people who have recovered through a 12-step program are quite enthusiastic about their own success, and try to convert others into that model. For more information visit http://www.aaalternatives.com