Sobriety Bestie Podcast

Ever wonder why people in AA get defensive — even when you’re calm and factual? 🤔Turns out, there’s a neurological reason behind it.In this clip from a LIVE Deprogram Q+A inside the Deprogram Lounge, we dive into the science of amygdala hijack, nervous system activation, and why cultic ideologies trigger emotional, not rational, responses.If you’ve experienced backlash for speaking your truth about AA, this one’s for you.👉 Deprogram Lounge (Membership with courses, LIVE Q+As, Zooms, Book Club + Escape Kit)🧰 Escape Kit (resources to Deprogram AA) 📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)🌀 Deprogram AA Course (free your mind at your own pace)Let’s get f*cking free.

Leaving AA can feel impossible — not because it’s physically hard to walk away, but because of phobia indoctrination and the total lack of outside validation. When the whole world believes AA is the only way, it can feel like you’re crazy for questioning it. In this episode, I break down why that fear is programmed, how experts still miss it, and what it really means to reclaim your freedom.📚 Reading from “Cults in Our Midst” by Margaret Singer⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Intro – Hard to Leave AA01:44 The #1 Reason It’s Hard to Leave AA03:33 AA Mention in Cults in Our Midst06:15 “AA does not recruit deceptively”08:48 Informed Consent & Deceptive Recruitment09:53 “AA does not hide what membership entails”13:40 “Members can leave at any time”18:27 “Cults use members to grow the cult”24:46 Indoctrinating Others + Self-Forgiveness27:54 Warning Label on AA👉 Deprogram Lounge (Membership with courses, LIVE Q+As, Zooms, book club. + more)🧰 Escape Kit (resources to Deprogram AA) 📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)🌀 Deprogram AA Course (free your mind at your own pace)Let’s get f*cking free.

After years in Alcoholics Anonymous — and a lifetime of seeking belonging in controlling systems — Teri realized she didn’t need to dim her light or outsource her thinking anymore.This raw and powerful conversation explores what it’s really like to leave AA, find your voice again, and build a new life rooted in freedom, truth, genuine connection and self-trust.Timestamps:00:00 Best Thinking Got Her Out Of AA Intro01:08 Leaving AA05:33 Staying Silent, Guilt + Mormon Roots08:24 AA Was Helpful + Also Emotionally Damaging10:35 Deprogram Lounge13:10 AA Cult Within A Cult17:04 Teri's Evolution After AA26:02 Healing Trust Issues + Group Trauma36:21 Hardest Part of Leaving AA39:48 Making Friends After AA49:09 Scared to Join a Deprogramming Group58:32 Speaking About Leaving AA1:14:17 Drinking Around Social Issues1:17:04 Leaving AA Was Harder Than Getting Sober1:30:04 Deprogramming Course + Group1:46:54 Is Deprogramming a "Cult" or Forever?1:55:46 Freedom From Group Think2:02:45 Still in Recovery?2:13:14 Best Part of Leaving AA🌀 Deprogram AA Course📚 Deprogram Book List 🪩 Community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram LoungeLet’s get f*cking free.

You’re Angry. You’re Resentful. You’re a Dry Drunk. You’ll Be Drunk in Five Years.Have you ever heard things like this? 👀Today’s episode dives into the #1 way AA defenders come for you (and why it’s actually a logical fallacy).This one’s a total game-changer in our Critical Thinking Series, because once you see this pattern — you can’t unsee it. We’re breaking down how ad hominem (Latin for “to the person”) and appeal to authority show up in arguments, manipulation, and cult-like thinking — not just in AA, but everywhere.00:00 Way Angry AA's Come For You Intro01:28 Ad Hominem04:35 Appeal to Authority07:24 Staying Safe From Manipulation14:18 Dry Drunk Mythology18:06 Ad Hominem Deeper DiveWhether you’re deprogramming from a high-control group, rethinking recovery, or just learning to trust your own brain again — this one’s for you.🌀 Deprogram AA Course📚 Deprogram Book List 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram LoungeLet’s get f*cking free.

Today’s episode is called “I’m Sorry (My Amends)” — but this isn’t the kind of amends you think. 🕊️I just got off our Deprogram Zoom Call inside the free Deprogram Lounge, and someone said something that hit me hard:“I don’t agree with everything you say.” And honestly… that’s exactly what I hope for.This episode is about learning to think for ourselves again — after indoctrination, after dogma, after groupthink. It’s about realizing that disagreement isn’t danger. It’s freedom. 💥In this episode:Why I want you to disagree with meHow critical thinking cracked my AA brainwashingWhat “recovering from recovery” really meansWhy blind faith feels like safety — but isn’tHow we find truth together through dialogue🌀 Deprogram AA Course📚 Deprogram Book List 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram LoungeLet’s get f*cking free.

You're invited to our first ever LIVE stream episode featuring Tara Grace from Burn The Stigma and Kirsten (me, Sobriety Bestie) discussing all the addiction and recovery things. We went live on Sunday November 2nd and are thinking about making this an ongoing thing (let me know what you think!).Burn The Stigma channel:‪@Burnthestigma420‬Tara's Stanton Peel interview🌀 Deprogram AA Course📚 Deprogram Book List 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram LoungeLet’s get f*cking free.

Escaping AA: Halloween Special with Carrie (AA Escapee 👻)Your best thinking got you here — now let’s get you free. In this Halloween jam, Carrie and I riff the AA clichés we lived, how we actually left, and what life’s like now without the daily-reprieve hamster wheel. Critical thinking, self-trust, nervous system regulation, and writing a new story — no chips required.Carrie's SubstackTimestamps:0:00 Escaping from AA Intro0:19 What It Was Like (in AA)08:36 What happened (to leave AA)10:59 No Daily Reprieve Needed15:36 Escaping AA18:49 What It's Like Now28:33 Reinventing + Reconstructing After AA31:34 AA Escapee Awakening34:34 Normalizing Leaving Recovery🌀 Deprogram AA Course📚 Deprogram Book List 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram LoungeLet’s get f*cking free.

There are many harmful aspects of Alcoholics Anonymous, but today we’re diving into what I believe is the most damaging paragraph in the Big Book of AA — and how it quietly stripped away my self-trust, autonomy, and personal power.If you’ve ever wondered why you still doubt yourself, feel “selfish” for wanting things, or have trouble trusting your own instincts after AA — this episode is for you.In this podcast, I break down how this one paragraph shaped my thinking for years and how I’ve been rewiring my brain since leaving AA.Timestamps:00:00 Intro Harmful Line in AA Big Book02:42 Most Harmful Big Book Paragraph03:55 Why It's Harmful07:15 How The Harmful Brainwashing Happened🌀 Deprogram AA Course📚 Deprogram Book List 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram LoungeLet’s get f*cking free.

Ever wonder how smart, self-aware people can get trapped in systems like AA for years, decades or life? 🤔In this episode, we break down the decision traps that keep us stuck — and how to reclaim your mind, freedom, and critical thinking power.If you’ve ever felt fooled, shamed, or confused after leaving a high-control group or belief system, this one’s for you.Timestamps:00:00 AA Fools Smart People Intro01:38 1 - Loss Aversion05:20 2 - Sunk Cost Fallacy08:56 3 - Framing Effect11:04 4 - Mental Accounting13:29 5 - Overconfidence or Intuition Bias16:17 Growing in Wisdom19:11 Cautious With Ideologies🌀 Deprogram AA Course📚 Deprogram Book List 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram LoungeLet’s get f*cking free.

There’s a term that unlocked massive freedom for me when I left Alcoholics Anonymous: Ideological Possession.In this episode, I share how I first heard the concept from Jordan Peterson, how it helped me see AA for what it truly is — a belief system, not a path to truth — and how understanding it completely changed the way I see the world.If you’ve ever felt possessed by an ideology — whether it’s AA, religion, politics, or something else — this one’s for you.We’ll talk about:00:00 Ideological Possession Intro04:15 “You don’t have ideas, ideas have you”06:02 Understanding Ideological Possession Unlocked Freedom07:56 True Believers vs. Periphery Cult Members10:17 Why I no longer try to convert anyoneJordan Peterson videoBiology of Desire book review video🌀 Deprogram AA Course📚 Deprogram Book List 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram LoungeLet’s get f*cking free.

Is addiction a disease, a choice — or something in between? 🤔In this episode, I dive into The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease by Mark Lewis, PhD — the book we just finished in our Deprogram Book Club inside the free Deprogram Lounge community. 💬📚Mark Lewis argues that addiction isn’t a disease or a moral failing — it’s a deeply learned habit rooted in neuroplasticity and desire. In this video, I share my biggest takeaways from the book, how my view of addiction has evolved since leaving AA, and why I now see addiction as a habit of thought, feeling, and behavior — one that can be unlearned.We’ll explore:Why the “disease model” doesn’t hold up to scienceHow neuroplasticity explains both addiction and recoveryWhat studies like Rat Park + Vietnam veterans reveal about environmentWhy “recovery” is really just the beginning of something newHow AA pathologizes normal emotions and replaces self-trust with dogmaTimestamps:00:54 Core Framework01:31 Addiction as a Habit06:03 We Over Pathologize People07:51 Evidence Against The Disease Model09:40 Habit Loops12:23 Our Brains Recover On Their Own🌀 Deprogram AA Course📚 Deprogram Book List 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram LoungeLet’s get f*cking free.

Leaving AA isn’t just about walking away from meetings — it’s about rewiring your brain.In this episode of The Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I share 7 ways Alcoholics Anonymous can hijack your thinking (often subtly, then aggressively)… and how to get your critical thinking and self-trust back.I spent 10 years in AA and left in 2020. What I’ve discovered since will blow your mind. This video is part of our Critical Thinking Series — because freedom starts with changing our minds. Timestamps:00:00 Intro – AA Brainwashing Intro01:13 1 – Authority Bias04:10 2 – Groupthink06:42 3 – Confirmation Bias13:27 4 – Learned Helplessness 18:14 5 – Negativity Bias23:47 6 – Anchoring Bias28:03 7 – Illusory Truth EffectVideos mentioned:5 Ways to Stop Second Guessing Yourself After Leaving AADeconstructing Sobriety Birthdays + AA Sober TimeLeaving AA Conversations (playlist)🌀 Deprogram AA Course📚 Deprogram Book List 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram LoungeLet’s get f*cking free.

Have you ever caught yourself spinning on a decision — looping between “what if” and “maybe not”? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 powerful ways to stop second-guessing yourself, especially if you’re leaving AA, deconstructing 12-step ideology, or just learning to trust your own thinking again.By the end of this video, you’ll understand:Why second-guessing happensHow to spot cognitive dissonance in real timeA simple move to get unstuck fastThis is for anyone who’s been taught to doubt themselves — by society, religion, recovery programs, or high-control groups — and is now reclaiming their critical thinking, intuition, and freedom.Timestamps:00:00 Stop Second Guessing Yourself in Recovery intro00:59 Why I Was Second Guessing Myself After Leaving AA03:30 1 - Cognitive Dissonance11:32 2 - Fear of Mistakes or Regrets16:45 3- Conditioning and Authority23:36 4 - Perfectionism and Control29:08 5 - Threat Mode Biology38:55 Recap 5 Ways to Stop Second Guessing Yourself🌀 Deprogram AA Course📚 Deprogram Book List 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click hereLet’s get f*cking free.

Six months ago I finally hit publish on my first video about leaving AA—and it changed everything. What started as fear turned into freedom, growth, and a whole new life. In this episode I reflect on six months of dissenting out loud, what I’ve learned from deconstructing Alcoholics Anonymous, and why this work matters so much. From 123 videos to playlists on AA mind control, cult comparisons, grieving, and alternatives, we’ve built a massive resource for anyone ready to get AA out of their head (playlists linked below)Playlists:AA Mind ControlAA Is A CultAA Culty CommentsLeaving AA ConversationsDeprogramming BooksGrieving AAAA AlternativesAA PropagandaEscape StoriesAddiction ScienceNow, as I move from deconstruction into critical thinking and reconstruction, I’m inviting you to keep evolving with me. Team Freedom—let’s keep getting free together.🌀 Deprogram AA Course📚 Deprogram Book List 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Victor from Quackaholics Anonymous shares his powerful journey of breaking free from Alcoholics Anonymous and finding the power to quit drinking on his own.In this candid conversation, Victor opens up about being branded a “chronic relapser” in AA, feeling isolated and hopeless, and how leaving the program set him free. From realizing AA was a scam, to rebuilding life on his own terms, to starting one of the first dissenting AA YouTube channels — this is his story of reclaiming self-esteem, critical thinking, and true sobriety.Whether you loved AA, hated it, or are just questioning it, this interview shines light on what life after AA can look like.Quackaholics Anonymous YouTube ChannelTimestamps:00:00 Intro Quackaholics Anonymous03:48 Deprogramming Out Loud, Online05:28 First Leaving Alcoholics Anonymous10:24 Seeing Old Timers "True Colors"13:58 DUI + Getting Back On Your Feet16:57 Feeling Empty After Leaving AA19:31 Deciding To Leave AA24:35 Finding The Power To Stop Drinking Without AA28:14 Realizing AA Is A Scam35:17 Starting A Dissenting + Deprogramming AA YouTube Channel47:33 The Mindset That Got Him Sober Without AA54:20 Rebuilding Life After AA1:03:13 Deconstructing AA Martyrdom + Self Sacrafice1:11:58 Best Part About AA Dissenting1:23:20 AA Disables Critical Thinking + Self Esteem1:28:14 AA Friendships After Leaving AA?1:34:00 Commenting With Trolls, Haters + AA Lovers🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I’m unpacking a culty comment that accuses my podcast of being “alcoholic thinking and behaving at its finest.”🚫 Here’s the truth: there is no such thing as “alcoholic thinking” or “alcoholic behavior” outside of literally drinking alcohol. These terms were invented and weaponized by AA to control the narrative, sell the disease model, and funnel people toward God as the supposed solution.We’ll break down:How Bill W. used Dr. Silkworth’s “fatal disease” pitch to sell GodWhy terms like “alcoholic thinking” are propaganda, not scienceHow attacking the messenger distracts from the real issue: the harmful ideologyHow critical thinking is a path to freedom🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Welcome to our sobriety birthday party podcast. Today September 29th I'm 16 years sober and Carrie (here's her Substack) turned 26 years sober on September 17th, the day we recorded this. You're in for a fun treat as we unpack all the sobriety birthday and sober time things.In this candid convo, Carrie and I unpack the status game around sober time, the shame of “starting over,” why slips don’t erase growth, and what feels actually worth celebrating now. If you’ve ever felt weird about chips, countdowns, or announcing your sobriety date, this one’s for you.We explore:What sobriety dates measure—and what they don’tThe difference between early-days momentum vs. long-term identityHow purity culture sneaks into recovery languageAlternative markers of progress (health, boundaries, critical thinking, purpose)Harm-reduction openness and letting people choose what works for them00:00 Intro deconstructing sobriety birthdays and AA sober time1:04 Carrie's sobriety birthday feels06:26 Rethinking slips, relapses and changing sobriety date10:36 AA conference slipped alcohol16:02 Rigidity around sobriety birthday announcements21:39 What does a sobriety birthday actually measure?23:04 Does drinking actually "erase" sobriety time?31:04 Why anchor to an old bad habit?36:59 Sobriety date becomes new birthday40:18 Sobriety birthday parties47:37 How long does it take to deprogram?55:18 Sobriety time "status" game57:27 Coerced into marketing AA via sobriety chips1:07:52 What feels relevant to celebrate now?1:17:22 Do sobriety birthdays matter?1:24:20 Sober time hierarchy + countdowns Carrie's Substack: https://carrieengland.substack.com/🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

In today’s Culty Comments episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, we’re breaking down a classic AA defender argument: “You got sober in the wrong country — AA is different elsewhere.”I’ve been to meetings across the U.S., Australia, Bali, India, Nepal, and Europe — and here’s the truth: no matter the culture, no matter the meeting format, it all comes back to the same book and the same controlling ideology.👉 In this episode we’ll cover:Attacking the messenger instead of the messageMy firsthand experiences in Australia AAHow AA’s “Big Book” is inherently controlling Why the 12 Steps are always the same path🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Charlie Sheen has been one of the most outspoken celebrities about his relationship with Alcoholics Anonymous and sobriety. From his infamous “winning” era in 2011 to creating his own Sober Valley Lodge, to now approaching 8 years sober, Charlie has been refreshingly candid about what worked—and what didn’t—for him.In this video, we react to Charlie Sheen’s recent appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, dive into his brand-new book The Book of Sheen (2025), and unpack his raw thoughts on AA, interventions, sponsorship, and making the decision to quit drinking on his own terms.2011 Charlie Sheen Interview Joe Rogan Podcast with Charlie SheenThe Book of Sheen Timestamps:00:00 How Charlie Sheen Got Sober Intro01:37 Charlie Sheen on Joe Rogan Podcast05:26 Charlie Sheen's Intervention07:33 How Charlie Sheen Got Sober (this time)14:32 Making A Decision + Sticking To It 18:21 Charlie Sheen On AA's Indoctrination Process24:51 Charlie Sheen Got Sober On His Own🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Alan Carr flips the script on alcohol. Instead of using willpower to fight cravings, he shows how to remove the desire to drink altogether. 🎉In this episode, I review Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Quit Drinking Without Willpower and share how the method connected with my own journey—both quitting cigarettes and alcohol.Whether you’re looking for an AA alternative, rethinking your relationship with alcohol, or just curious about habit change, this perspective shift might blow your mind.Get the book here.Timestamps:00:00 Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Drinking Intro02:35 How I Quit Smoking Cigarettes09:07 All Brains Can Become Addicted10:46 Brainwashed Quitting is Hard13:46 Brainwashed into Drinking Trap15:45 Little Monster (Withdrawal) + Big Monster (Desire to Drink)21:08 New Attitude on Sobriety23:07 Addictive Personality Mythology27:01 Alcohol Does Not Cause Pleasure29:56 Don't Drink Poison Ever🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Bobby C from Anonymous Addiction Podcast spent 35 years inside Alcoholics Anonymous — but he was never fully at peace with the ideology. Trapped by cognitive dissonance, he questioned the slogans, the control structures, and the religious roots even while he kept showing up.In this conversation, Bobby shares how he saw “cults within the cult,” why the chips and steps never sat right, and how he finally shifted into true freedom outside the 12-step frame.Bobby C's YouTubeBobby C's Facebook GroupBobby C's TikTok Timestamps:00:00 — Intro Bobby C Deprogramming While In AA02:05 — Joining AA + First Sponsor08:29 — In Alcoholics Anonymous 35 Years10:08 — Control structure: Steps, Traditions, Concepts, Trustees14:36 — Roots in religion: Oxford Group, Sister Ignatia, priests18:14 — Labels, DSM skepticism, and “dis-ease”23:14 — Culture & media: why AA dominates screen time39:30 — Paradigm shift away from 12-step + leaving timeline50:45 — Becoming a SMART Recovery facilitator56:05 — Boundaries, in-person community, and the “becoming” lens1:11:10 — How Bobby C and Sobriety Bestie "met"🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

AA loves to say “Your best thinking got you here.” But when I arrived at AA, I was in survival mode with my worst thinking—traumatized, anxious, medicated, and terrified. To call that my “best” is pure doublespeak. In this episode, I break down why this phrase is manipulative, how it positions members to distrust their own thoughts, and how Bill Wilson’s best thinking (propaganda, PR, Oxford Group ideology) is what actually got me to AA.We’ll unpack:Why “best thinking” is not survival mode.How AA reframes your worst mental state as your “best” to enforce obedience.The propaganda that made AA seem like the only path.What “best thinking” actually means (from a neuroscience perspective).Why leaving AA required my true best thinking.Timestamps:00:00 Your Best Thinking Got You Here Intro01:48 My Worst Thinking Got Me To AA06:49 Survival Thinking vs Best Thinking09:42 Bill Wilson’s Best Thinking + AA Propaganda13:12 What My Best Thinking Looks Like15:02 Invitation to the Deprogram Lounge🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

A random AA stranger tried to convince me that I’m powerless—that I can’t even know if I’ll drink tomorrow. He compared my choices to predicting the lottery. 🤦‍♀️ This episode breaks down the logical fallacies and culty ideology behind the powerless narrative AA keeps pushing. Of course I have no clue what YOU should or will do. But I do know I'm not drinking tomorrow.We’re powerful. We can change habits, rewire our brains, and decide our own future. Anyone trying to convince you otherwise? 🚩 That’s control, not truth.🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Welcome back to our Big Book Deconstruction series. In this episode, Kirsten and Carrie (Carrie’s Substack here) unpack The Doctor’s Opinion — the chapter that AA uses as its "medical" foundation. We explore how Dr. Silkworth’s unproven ideas about a “fatal progressive disease” became the sales pitch that trapped millions into a lifetime of dependence.🕒 Timestamps00:00 – Deconstructing The Doctor's Opinion Intro01:23 – Dr. Silkworth Traps + Converts Us04:08 – Lies AA Coerced Us Into Believing08:25 – Bill + Dr. Silkworth Fall Off The Pedestal15:56 – We Need A New "Marty Mann"22:44 – Predators in Alcoholics Anonymous29:34 – AA Opinions Are Not Facts34:29 – Deconstructing The Doctor's Opinion40:17 – Bill Becoming A Millionaire47:31 – Deconstructing Dr. Silkworth's Letter57:15 – Body + Mind "Abnormal" Mythology01:08:23 – The "Allergy" Manipulation01:13:31 – Toxicity + Learned Helplessness in AA01:19:39 – Bill's Best Thinking Got Us To AA01:29:22 – Breaking AA's Global Indoctrination🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, we’re breaking down the most common forms of abuse and mistreatment in Alcoholics Anonymous—from being told you have a “progressive, fatal disease,” to being convinced you’re powerless, to the gaslighting baked into terms like “dry drunk” or “denial.”These points come from Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey, written 30 years ago but still just as relevant today. We’ll unpack the first 10 examples from the book and talk about how AA’s harmful messaging keeps people stuck in fear, shame, and learned helplessness.This conversation is about more than deconstructing AA—it’s about critical thinking, self-trust, and freedom.Rational Recovery book: https://amzn.to/47AyGlhTimestamps:00:00 Intro Common Abuse in AA02:22 1 — "Fatal progressive disease"04:41 2 — "Can't abstain on your own"05:21 3 — "AA is the only way"06:31 4 — "AA is not religious"07:22 5 — "Must surrender to AA ideology"08:58 6 — "You'll relapse without AA"09:18 7 — "Dry drunk"11:34 8 — "Alcoholism symptoms"12:30 9 — "Leaving AA means you'll relapse"14:25 — 10 "Doubting AA means is a symptom"16:12 We save ourselves🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

In this #CultyComments episode, we’re breaking down two of AA’s most common contradictions:👉 “AA has no leaders.” Really? Sponsors, old-timers, secretaries, and even professional recruiters all lead — they just hide it behind the doublespeak of “trusted servants.”👉 “You can leave anytime.” On the surface, yes. But the ideology repeats that leaving = relapse, jails, institutions, or death. That’s phobia indoctrination, and it keeps people trapped even when they want out.This isn’t about shaming one person. It’s about exposing how AA’s own language and thought reform tactics convince members they’re free, while quietly controlling their choices.✨ In this video, I unpack:The doublespeak of “trusted servants”Why AA says you can leave while planting fear of leavingHow recruitment gets disguised as “suggestion” or careWhat cult recovery teaches us about breaking freeAny group that tells you you’ll die if you leave? 🚩 Run for the hills.🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Emma from Group Thinking Podcast left AA after nearly 13 years—and chose moderation. In this candid conversation, we unpack what made her walk away, how she rebuilt community, why “your disease is getting worse even when you’re sober” never sat right, and what deprogramming looks like in real life. We get into AA culture, Finland AA vs. international AA, sponsorship red flags, nervous system regulation, trying alcohol again (including first-week hangovers and fear), and the power of speaking out. Emma also shares how launching a deconstructing AA podcast became both purpose and therapy—and why multiple recovery paths (not one ideology) should be the norm. ⛪📘🧠Emma's Group Thinking PodcastTimestamps:00:00 Emma from Group Thinking Podcast intro01:00 Leaving AA After 13 Years07:54 ACA, 12 Step Pathologizing Culture10:38 Starting A Deprogramming Podcast13:20 Nervous System Regulation After AA15:30 Deciding To Drink Alcohol Again18:00 Podcasting To Help Deprogramming Journey22:10 Coming Out Online About Leaving AA23:54 Drinking in Front of AA Family Member27:19 Feeling Confident Drinking31:05 Steps to Leaving AA37:00 Finland AA Vs. International AA39:22 Emma's Message43:23 Rebuilding Life After AA50:37 Advice to Former Self54:20 Most Harmful Part of AA1:00:09 Best Part of Leaving AA1:04:07 Tried to Make AA Safer1:09:35 Feedback From Podcast Listeners🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Any group that tells you you’ll die if you leave? 🚩 Run for the hills.In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I dive into the hidden danger in AA meetings — not just shady individuals or mini–cult leaders, but the ideology itself.📖 Inspired by Rational Recovery: The New Cure for Substance Addiction by Jack Trimpey, we’ll unpack his concept of Recovery Group Disorder (RGD) — the compulsive dependency on recovery meetings that looks and feels a lot like addiction itself.Rational Recovery book: https://amzn.to/47AyGlh Timestamps:00:00 Intro — hidden dangers in AA01:14 What is “Recovery Group Disorder”?03:06 Are recovery meetings required?05:55 Expanded definition of RGD08:08 Problems AA creates in identity + thinking10:40 How AA builds dependency14:28 Moving on with life🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

You are powerful. You can decide your future. You don’t need AA, sponsors, or church basements to stay sober.In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I dive into Rational Recovery: The New Cure for Substance Addiction by Jack Trimpey — the revolutionary AA alternative that says: once you decide, that’s it. No “recovery process,” no lifelong meetings.We’ll explore:Why Rational Recovery rejects the disease modelThe Addictive Voice Recognition Technique (AVRT) & “The Beast”The power of making a Big PlanHow Rational Recovery success rates compare to AAWhy recovery groups can actually keep you stuckI wish I had found this book when I got sober in 2009. It’s bold, liberating, and a must-read if you’re deprogramming from AA or exploring real freedom. You can check out the Rational Recovery book here.Timestamps00:00 Rational Recovery intro03:16 Rational Recovery history04:56 No recovery meetings required07:05 Rational Recovery core philosophy10:22 Recovery reality check13:50 Addictive Voice Recognition Technique15:43 Being "in two minds" about drinking19:28 Deciding to not drink23:13 Common myths Rational Recovery challenges25:15 "Recovery Group Disorder"26:34 Rational Recovery main takeaway🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

After 36 years in Alcoholics Anonymous, filmmaker Monica Richardson discovered the truth she never expected: AA has a dark side.In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, Monica shares her journey from devoted member to whistleblower, revealing:How violent offenders and predators are court-ordered into meetingsThe cover-ups and silence that keep people trappedWhy she decided to make her documentary, The 13th StepHow she finally broke free after 36 yearsThis is a powerful conversation about trust, recovery, and taking your power back.Monica Richardson's links:Watch The 13th Step DocumentaryMonica's Deprogram FB Group Monica's YouTubeConnect with Monica: [email protected] Timestamp:00:00 Monica's AA Escape Story1:04 Criminals Court Ordered to AA05:09 Monica's 13th Step Film06:35 Cracks in the Brainwashing13:00 Dark Side of LA and Hawaii AA18:59 More Reasons to Leave AA24:49 Making a Plan to Leave AA39:13 Nurses, Doctors, Pilots Forced into AA46:11 Anger and AA47:50 Navigating Being 13th Stepped54:57 A Wave of 12 Step Harm Awarness1:04:45 Autism, Sexual Abuse + Gaslighting1:09:16 Kicked out of Sober Living, Psychedelics + Healing1:12:31 Monica's Deprogramming 12 Step Facebook Group1:15:20 Advice to Someone Leaving AAAdditional Resources Monica Mentioned:Orange PapersOne Little Pill documentary (Sinclair Method)The Business of Recovery MovieQuackaholics Anonymous YouTubeBurn The Stigma YouTubeBobby C YouTube 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

RFK Jr. just admitted it: AA is brainwashing — and he wanted it. 🤯 In this episode, we break down his April 2025 speech on the opioid crisis in Nashville and expose how deeply Alcoholics Anonymous ideology is woven into his words. From “your disease is doing pushups” to magical thinking and lifelong indoctrination, this talk is packed with AA propaganda — and it’s being spread from the top of American health leadership.This isn’t about RFK Jr. as a person — it’s about the dangerous ideology being promoted as fact. If you’ve ever questioned AA, felt trapped by its dogma, or wondered why so much of this sounds like cult language… this episode will be a game-changer.You can watch the original video here.Timestamps:00:00 Intro RFK Jr Indoctrinating The World01:50 "Disease" learned helplessness indoctrination04:50 "It's irrelevant how I got it"07:75 "My addiction is doing push ups"10:04 12 step brainwashing + propaganda17:00 12 step religious conversion20:26 42 years of daily meetings24:38 Jails, institutions, death + identity manipulation36:07 What about church and state?39:33 Misinformation about AA roots51:24 Daily reprieve manipulation54:57 Spiritual bypassing🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

AA doesn’t just “help” people. It also harms — and in some cases, kills. This episode is a deep dive into AA: Who It Helps, Who It Harms, Who It Kills, and Why by Dr. Edward Wilson, PhD.We’ll explore the central premise of the book: that AA is either irrelevant or actively harmful for most people who misuse alcohol. You’ll hear clips from the author himself, and then I unpack the book through the lens of my own experience after 10 years in AA and 5 years out.We’ll look at why AA only works for a narrow group, how it harms “normals” who might have recovered naturally, and why it can be deadly for the bright, creative, independent thinkers who are forced to conform and cut off from self-trust.For anyone deprogramming from the cult religion of Alcoholics Anonymous, or anyone seeking new ways to understand alcohol addiction, this book is a liberating resource.Get the book hereWatch video from reaction hereTimestamps:00:00 AA Helps, Harms, Kills intro01:24 Author Dr. Edward Wilson reaction05:10 Minnesota Model doesn't work?07:26 Why people think AA works10:28 Ego development: protect + conform 11:36 Ego development: outgrow AA12:06 Ego development: AA harms15:54 Ego development: AA is toxic18:21 Who AA helps, harms, kills19:01 Recovery + growth outside AA 20:26 "In Recovery" identity stunts growth21:04 Dr. Wilson's multi solution approach🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

We’re kicking off a brand-new series deconstructing the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous — exposing the hidden messages, the power-stripping language, and the indoctrination baked into its pages.In this episode, we unpack the Forward to the First Edition — where AA starts shaping how you see yourself, your “disease,” and your ability to choose your own recovery path. We’ll talk about how the language trains self-abandonment, why this sets you up for lifelong dependence on the program, and how to reclaim your agency.Whether you’ve left AA, are thinking about leaving, or just want to understand the mechanics of its influence, this series will help you see the text with new eyes — and take your power back.Timestamps:00:00 Intro Big Book Deconstruction01:22 Carrie's intro to the AA Big Book04:20 AA sponsors as cult leaders11:00 Kirsten's intro to the AA Big Book14:50 AA Big Book Title page20:32 Forward to First Edition 28:22 Bill decides we are "sick"41:15 AA's care about the system not the people47:07 Bill knows how we should live54:50 We're allowed to feel angry57:15 Bill's pitch to exploit us1:00:20 MANY requirements for AA membership1:13:09 Learning through AA mishaps1:20:24 Can't separate AA good from AA harm🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

I’ve got a cringe confession from my AA days… one I’ve never shared until now. Since it’s my birthday week (and my book’s birthday too), today I’m revealing an AA secret that I haven't shared yet — and unpacking what that says about mind control, cult personality, and how far I’ve come in deprogramming.I’ll share my AA cringe story and the story behind The Heartgasm Revolution book, and give you the free PDF this week to celebrate (links below). Timestamps:00:00 Most AA Cringe Moment Intro01:27 Dedicated to Bill05:39 Charles Manson Mind Control06:46 Cult Persona08:34 Healing Emotions in Sobriety11:16 Heartgasms + Self Love14:13 Your Free Gift!!17:38 Committing to Courage📕 Get The Heartgasm Revolution — A Mind Blowing Guide To Self LoveFree Book PDF https://www.sobrietybestie.com/free-bookPaperback Book https://amzn.to/4mTPSGV🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Leaving Alcoholics Anonymous can feel like walking away from your entire world — relationships, identity, purpose, safety, community, and structure. That’s why so many of us feel stuck in grief, even after we’ve left.In Part 6 of the Grieving AA series, I’m sharing a powerful tool from the Grief Recovery Method — the Completion Letter. This is not about excusing harm or betraying yourself. It’s about ending the loop of overthinking, guilt, shame, and anger… and reclaiming your freedom.Inside, you’ll learn:✨ The 5 parts of the Goodbye Letter (and why they matter)✨ How to speak your truth without judgment or guilt✨ A ritual option to fully release AA and close that chapter of your lifeWhether you write the letter, speak it aloud, or burn it in a ceremony, this process can help you cut the energetic tie, close the grief, and move forward without the weight of AA still on your shoulders.Timestamps:00:00 Grief Recovery Method completion letter intro08:14 Writing the letter09:02 The apologies12:11 The forgiveness13:11 Significant emotional truths15:38 The Closure🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Acceptance after leaving Alcoholics Anonymous isn’t about forgiving abuse or sugarcoating the harm — it’s about choosing yourself and stepping into freedom.In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I share what “acceptance” really means in the grieving process — without surrendering to AA’s powerlessness narrative. We’ll unpack:Why acceptance is not the same as condoningBreaking free from the “AA saved my life” mythHow to reclaim your power and stability outside the roomsJournaling prompts to deepen your own acceptance and freedomIf AA was part of your life and leaving brought up grief, doubt, or relief, this is your space to get clarity and move forward on your terms.📝 Journaling Prompts in this Episode:What truth can you see now that you couldn’t before?What no longer has a hold on you?What parts of AA do you no longer need?What beliefs are you choosing now?What does freedom look like for you today?What support system are you building?Timestamps:00:00 Acceptance after AA05:00 Journaling prompts13:32 Finding purpose after AA🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

What if you never feel okay again after leaving AA? For many of us, there’s a crash after the anger fades — the loss of community, identity, and structure can feel like a dark night of the soul. It’s not failure — it’s grief.In this episode of the Grieving AA series, we talk about the depression stage, why it happens, and how to navigate the “after-recovery void” between who you were in AA and who you’re becoming now. You’ll also get journaling prompts to help you move through this phase.📝 Journaling Prompts in this Episode:What feels heavy right now? Can you name it without fixing it?What parts of yourself or life feel missing?Have you felt this kind of fog before? What helped then?What did AA give you that you’re afraid you’ll never find again?What does your body need right now — rest, comfort, permission to not be okay?What would it look like to meet yourself with compassion right now?Timestamps:00:00 Depression after leaving AA intro08:04 Journal prompts09:12 Dark night of the soul14:46 This too shall pass🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Bargaining is a normal stage of grief — but when you’ve left AA, it can keep you stuck.Maybe you’ve told yourself, “It wasn’t that bad,” “I can just take the good and leave the rest,” or “Maybe I was the problem.”In this episode, I break down how AA culture trains us to bargain with harm, avoid the full truth, and even spiritualize abuse. I share real examples from my 10 years in AA, how I recognized my own bargaining, and how you can start unpacking it.📌 Inside this video:What bargaining looks like after leaving AAHow “take the good, leave the rest” keeps the programming aliveSpiritual bypassing and blame-shiftingReal-life examples from my time in AAJournaling prompts to help you unpack it📝 Journaling Prompts:What part of you still wants to believe AA wasn’t that bad?What are you afraid might happen if you admit the harm?Have you told yourself you can “just take the good” even when you know the harm runs deeper?What would it mean to fully face the truth about AA for you?In what ways have you internalized the blame for what happened in AA?Have you avoided unpacking your experience because you feel you “should be over it”?What spiritual lessons (if any) are you using to justify your pain or your AA experience?What do you gain by holding on to parts of AA — and what might it be costing you?Timestamps:00:00 Doubting your decision to leave AA intro07:17 Journaling prompts🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Are you still angry about what happened in AA — or that you were even there?You're not alone. This episode dives into the second stage of grief after leaving Alcoholics Anonymous: anger.I was stalked in AA. I was gaslit, misdiagnosed, manipulated — and told that feeling angry meant I was the problem. If anything like this sounds familiar, this one's for you.Inside this episode:🔥 Why anger is a valid, protective response💔 What you're really grieving when you leave AA🧠 How AA pathologizes normal human emotions👀 The real meaning behind being called "resentful" or a "dry drunk"✍️ Guided journaling prompts to help you process and heal📝 Journaling Prompts in this Episode:What am I angry about, even if I feel like I shouldn’t be?Who or what do I feel betrayed by and why?When I get angry about AA, if I do, what do I hear in my head that tries to silence me?How might my anger be trying to protect me?What might I say to a loved one who was angry in a similar situation?What happens in my body when I let myself feel anger without making it wrong?Timestamps:00:00 Grieving AA: Anger intro5:44 AA pathologized anger12:08 Angry at an AA member17:02 Journaling prompts🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Welcome to the Grieving AA series — a 6-part journey to untangle from Alcoholics Anonymous and reclaim your emotional freedom.In this first episode, we unpack denial. What if the group that “saved your life”… was actually harming your mind? What if the thing you thought was spiritual… was a religious cult in disguise?We’ll explore:🧠 Cognitive dissonance (AA helped me / AA harmed me)🧪 How gaslighting and indoctrination distort your self-trust💔 Why denial makes sense after coercive control✍️ Plus journaling prompts to help you pop out of the fogTimestamps:00:00 Grieving AA Denial Intro05:40 What denial may look like10:05 Journaling prompts📝 Journaling Prompts in this Episode:What parts of AA still feel helpful or comforting to you, and why?Why do you feel loyal to AA if you do, and what does loyalty mean to you?Have you ever downplayed your pain or made excuses for what happened in AA?If what you experienced happened to a loved one, what would you tell them about it?What are you afraid might happen if you fully let yourself question AA?What would it mean to trust yourself even just a little bit more right now?🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here.💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Mark, a former AA member, professional therapist, and addiction counselor, shares why he left Alcoholics Anonymous after four years and what happened next.We talk about the uncomfortable truths inside the rooms, what it was like to be sober and rebellious, and how AA fed his ego instead of helping him heal. Mark shares what it was like working in a rehab while quietly deprogramming from 12-step ideology — and why real healing required trusting himself, not a dogma.Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:12 Why Did You Leave AA?09:00 "AA Fed My Ego"10:46 AA While Working At A Bali Rehab13:34 Addiction Therapist Advice on AA14:54 How AA Reacted To Him Leaving17:58 Still sober?21:05 What Deprogramming Was Like23:57 Feeling Betrayed in AA30:00 If You Left AA But Still Are "In Recovery"32:36 Find Out Why You Drank36:09 Learning To Trust Yourself Again39:48 He Always Knew He'd Leave AA45:13 A Big Thing To Work OnMark's websiteMark's FacebookMark's InstagramJoin our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click hereWant to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course:→ 🌀 Deprogram AA Course 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

What if it’s not the booze — but the belief system?In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, we dive into Alan Marlatt’s 1973 expectancy experiment, featured in Resisting 12-Step Coercion by Stanton Peele. This study throws a major wrench in AA’s core claim: the “physical allergy” to alcohol.🔬 Study findings?👉 People who thought they were drinking alcohol behaved more "drunk" — even when they weren’t.👉 Those who were drinking but didn’t know it? No typical "alcoholic" behavior.So… is it the alcohol or the expectation? Does AA’s ideology create a self-fulfilling prophecy that makes drinking worse?📍 We’ll break down the study, bust the allergy myth, and explore how belief — not booze — might be the real trigger.🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

You were told to leave AA is to drink — and to drink is to die. But what if the data says otherwise?In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I break down one of the most important studies you’ve probably never heard of — the 1992 NLAES study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This massive, government-funded study followed thousands of people who met the criteria for alcohol dependence... and most of them got better without AA or treatment.This episode dives into:🧠 The myth of powerlessness📉 What actual recovery stats show🚫 The “real alcoholic” label as loaded language📚 Highlights from Resisting 12-Step Coercion🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

This is not just one woman’s story. It’s a window into what’s been allowed to happen behind closed doors in Alcoholics Anonymous.At 15 years old, Mandi was sent to AA as a “troubled teen.” What followed was not recovery — it was manipulation, coercion, grooming, and systemic cover-up.In this conversation, Mandi details how a so-called spiritual leader in the Midtown AA group in Washington, D.C. used his power to exploit underage girls — and how the group protected him.This conversation exposes the underbelly of AA culture: the “13th stepping,” the spiritual gaslighting, the silence around sexual abuse, and the refusal to evolve.Timestamps:00:00 Intro Midtown AA Exploitation 01:44 Why It Was Hard To Leave AA 06:34 1990's "Troubled Teen" Sent To AA 9:19 Midtown AA Cult 12:15 Misdiagnosed As Alcoholic 17:54 Breaking Free From AA 22:50 Coercive Control in AA 27:45 13th Stepping Children32:46 What Helped Her Heal 41:23 Red flags in AA 48:00 Societies Blind Spot to AA Harms 1:02:36 Sinclair Method + "No Meds" in AA 1:06:55 Cult Experts Won't Touch AA 1:09:55 If You're in A Rouge AA Group 1:17:49 Staying Safe From Predators 1:26:47 Leaving AA, Cocaine + ADHD Diagnosis 1:35:12 Sexual Abuse: Speaking Out + Not Being Believed 1:46:34 Men Get 13th Stepped Too1:49:42 Trafficked To Other AA Groups2:00:41 Shifting Public Consciousness on Addiction RecoveryMandi's IG: https://www.instagram.com/mandiptalkspredators/Mandi's Substack: https://mandiptalkspredators.substack.com/Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click hereWant to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course:→ 🌀 Deprogram AA Course 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Why does AA call you resentful just for leaving? In this episode of Culty Comments, we break down how the word resentment got rebranded from sin, why it’s weaponized against dissenters, and how AA uses emotional manipulation to keep you locked in.If you've ever been called "bitter," "angry," or "a dry drunk" after walking away… this one's for you.Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click hereWant to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course:→ 🌀 Deprogram AA Course 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

🚨 This Preacher Says AA Is Dangerous — And He Has a Bus to Prove It 🚌In today’s reaction episode, we dive into a bold and controversial video titled "Alcoholics Anonymous Is Dangerous – Part 1" by Jim Battle. This preacher isn’t holding back—and neither am I. From cult recruitment tactics to the powerless indoctrination, we break down exactly why AA might not be what you think it is.Original video AA Is Dangerous Pt 1Orange Papers00:00 – Intro AA Is Dangerous01:10 – Meet Jim Battle, the preacher warning the world about AA03:22 – The first thing wrong with AA07:10 – Why “It works if you work it” is a lie08:44 – Warning: AA kills people12:20 – “AA Takes Lives”—What if that was the slogan?13:36 – You are not powerless 23:50 – AA’s deceptive cult recruitment tactics28:47 – AA never takes responsibility for deaths29:50 – Court-ordered religion? Separation of church and state violationJoin our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click hereWant to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course:→ 🌀 Deprogram AA Course 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

After 32 years in Alcoholics Anonymous, Carrie walked away from the program she once lived and breathed. A retired VA nurse, dynamic speaker, and hardcore Big Book Thumper, Carrie sponsored thousands and climbed the service ladder—until she started asking herself the one question AA fears most: Do I actually believe this?This powerful conversation dives into indoctrination, service burnout, identity loss, spiritual manipulation, predatory behavior in meetings, and the courage it takes to walk away. If you’re questioning AA, feeling trapped, or just want to hear a brutally honest story of breaking free—this one’s for you.Carrie's substack: https://carrieengland.substack.com/👇 Timestamps00:00 Intro04:02 Indoctrinated into hardcore AA07:38 Core issues under drinking09:20 Drunk on AA Kool-Aid12:20 Cracks in AA brainwashing17:01 Retired VA registered nurse for substance abuse18:28 Elite AA & Getting Fired by a Sponsor22:27 "I feel scammed"26:38 Questioning AA + Sponsor Burnout31:40 Her Big Regret from AA36:40 AA is a Religious Cult37:48 Leaving AA Feels Scary40:41 Predators in AA45:12 The First Days After Leaving50:20 Coming Out Online About Leaving AA53:41 AA Myths She No Longer Believes58:34 What Surprised Her About Leaving1:04:03 Cults Within the Cult1:14:00 Alternatives to AA1:15:10 Is She Still “in Recovery”?1:18:30 Ego, Self-Esteem & Service1:24:25 AA as Self-Medication1:28:06 Learning to Trust Herself AgainJoin our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click here💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

"Sorry You Missed That Part" — AA Indoctrination in Full ViewWelcome to another episode of Culty Comments — where we break down the ideology, not the individual. Today we’re responding to a spicy little comment that accuses me of bashing AA, claims meetings have “personalities,” and confidently declares I’m going downhill (lol ok Bro).But here’s the thing:Cult members can view deconstructing as "bashing"Mind control can trap us in survivalDeconstruction unlocks freedomJoin our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click hereWant to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course:→ 🌀 Deprogram AA Course 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Jordan Peterson once helped me break free from AA's ideological grip.But in this viral clip from Theo Von’s podcast, he repeats dangerous myths about Alcoholics Anonymous — calling it “psychologically intelligent” and denying the harm it causes.So today, we're unpacking this AA propaganda in real time — from coerced confessions to forced religious conversion, and the global indoctrination that keeps people stuck in a cult disguised as recovery.This isn’t about bashing Jordan or Theo — it’s about calling out misinformation that gets millions of people trapped in high-control systems. Let’s critically think together.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro Jordan Peterson on Alcoholics Anonymous01:32 – Theo Von: 12 Steps Not Working?02:52 – AA Alternatives? Why Are We Ignoring the Data?05:22 – Ideological Possession in AA10:02 – Peterson: The 12 Steps Are a Religion12:10 – AA Is Exploitative (Here's How)17:54 – Does AA Do Harm? (Peterson Says No…)21:01 – AA’s Coerced Confession Culture22:38 – AA’s Forced Religious ConversionJoin our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click hereWant to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course:→ 🌀 Deprogram AA Course 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

What if the thing you were told would save your life… was actually harming you the most?In this raw and powerful episode, Tara from @BurnTheStigma shares how 10 years in AA and 12-step recovery impacted her more deeply — and more dangerously — than heroin ever did.We unpack the hidden trauma of 12-step indoctrination, the slow unraveling of belief systems, and the courage it takes to walk away from something everyone says “works.”Tara's Recovery Rebellion PodcastTimestamps:00:00 Intro with Tara Burn The Stigma01:20 What Leaving AA Was Like06:29 Growing Out of Addiction10:08 Realizing AA is Harmful13:01 ADHD in addiction and recovery16:13 AA Wasn't Working20:55 Starting to Deconstruct AA24:54 AA is Dangerous31:08 How Long is Deconstructing AA?33:57 What's Been The Most Liberating?41:30 The Power of Choice53:28 Harm Reduction57:56 Sobriety Wasn't The Goal1:04:23 AA Affected Life More Negatively Than Heroin1:07:08 Freedom Through Deconstructing AAAre you on your deconstructing AA journey and want support?Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click hereWant to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course:→ 🌀 Deprogram AA Course 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.