The only thing I'll observe that you might agree with, is that they can only get you so far. I've grown more than AA and NA have to offer.
Regarding brainwashing ... you know what, when I first showed up, my brain NEEDED a little scrubbing.
There is a neat little book called “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” that I am reading now, and considering having the managers at my plant read.
AA changed your habits. Much like it has done to quite a few friends of mine. It, and other programs like it, do “brainwash” you to a point. They give you tools to change your habits to a more constructive pattern. Your old patterns remain, but they are (hopefully) redirected.