People certainly make like-minded friends in AA (especially after 45 years!), and "paying it forward," helping/supporting those who are new, is instrumental to your sobriety. That's how AA started, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith (in 1935) reached out to those who were struggling. When I was new, I gave rides. My first AA friend had her license suspended, so we went to meetings together. And when the girl who represented te beginners' group at District Meetings and ordered the coins dropped out, I took over those duties - which I liked since it was also helpful to me - and ensured that I'd show up! I was still doing that until last year when that group shut down because of the pandemic. 
As for religion, that was more important in 1935, but these days people's beliefs are as diverse as the people who show up. My sponsor (who was culturally Jewish) was not particularly religious (which worked out for me), but everyone's different. There is this one guy who comes to that meeting who is very quiet and all he usually says is "I got to meetings and I go to church." But he's got over 10 years, so that's what works for him.
They do talk about "spirituality," which I really don't understand, but one woman who has over 35 years once told me that I had spirituality and I took that as a compliment. I just show up, try to be helpful when I can, especially to new people, and find that helps me. That's what my sponsor did and she was the best people-person I've known, so I try to follow her example. 
And, as I said, no one prohibits prescriptions, especially in the beginning since it's not advised to go through withdrawal without something. And, as I said, a lot of us have trouble sleeping in the beginning. Everyone's needs and their "journey" is different. 
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