You know, I hate to say this, but I think AA (and the other "Anonymous" programs) totally foster this. One of the 12 Steps specifically talks about how the person needs to acknowledge that s/he is powerless over drugs and alcohol and (in another Step) the Higher Power needs to intervene.

How can we be teaching a whole population of people that they are powerless? Doesn't this go against EVERY SINGLE THING I've ever been taught about empowerment and the stregths perspective?

Oy.