lots of questions...AA meetings..rehab?

hello everyone! ok, lots of random questions...
I was wondering who all here actually attends AA meetings in real life...? If you do go...
*how long were you an alcoholic before you decided to go?
*Did someone force you or was it like a light bulb just came on?!
*how old were you when you first went?
*how many years have you been going?
*what do they do there? have story-sharing time and go around the circle??

Are there any other methods of support that you've used?

I'm obviously clueless about AA, and recovery for alcoholics in general... but I would like to know more about it to help my father who is an extremely stubborn very serious alcoholic...and refuses to go to a group session like that. I'm just curious about what it's like...

and also..Has anyone actually gone to rehab at a hospital or a residential treatment center? how much did it cost you & how long was your stay? I'm afraid that he really needs to do that, I actually feel sorry for the man because when he does stop drinking for a few days, he gets the shakes and then has seizures. (ahhh..flashbacks..)
Well any help would be greatly appreciated..thank you for taking the time to read this.

much love,

Amanda Tweet