Sobriety Bestie Podcast

It’s Not a Loving Philosophy — It’s a Cult Religion.Welcome back to Culty Comments — where we deconstruct the ideology of Alcoholics Anonymous so we can get free. Today’s comment says:"The alcoholic death is worse than anything you can say about AA. I love AA, not perfection, but progress and life-saving philosophy of love and others paying it forward."Let’s unpack this.What if what looks like “love” is actually coercive control?What if that “life-saving philosophy” is rooted in cult religion tactics and false binaries like “AA or death”?And what if the people praising AA the loudest are also the most deeply controlled by it?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.

Someone Just Compared AA to a Gym… Seriously?!In this episode of #CultyComments, we're unpacking a wild claim: that Alcoholics Anonymous is no more of a cult than a gym. 😳I break down the real differences — including the shame, moral inventories, powerlessness, and threats of death — and share why this kind of ideology comparison is not just off, it's dangerous.👉 If you’ve ever questioned AA or felt the residue of its ideology stuck in your head, you’re not alone. This episode is for those of us unpacking the thought reform and reclaiming our autonomy.Are 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.

What is a Recovery Dharma meeting actually like? I went to a Recovery Dharma meeting today so that I could report back to you with what one of their meetings is like.Timestamps:00:00 Intro: Recovery Dharma Meeting01:54 How the Meeting Began 05:09 Introductions + Rituals 10:26 Meditation Format 13:26 Shares, Timers, and Group Dynamics17:29 Closing Rituals + “Virtual Parking Lot” Explained19:26 Final Thoughts on Recovery DharmaI went to one for the very first time — no prep, no research — and here’s what happened. If you’re curious about Buddhist-inspired recovery, or exploring alternatives to AA, this breakdown will help you feel it out. From ancestral rituals to bell meditations to community shares, this is a full walk-through of my unfiltered experience. Spoiler: it’s very different from AA.Are all Recovery Dharma meetings like this one? Drop your experience in the comments — let’s compare notes.Recovery Dharma Meetings click hereAre 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.

Diving deep for more AA propaganda, this time it's Steve O on Joe Rogan.Timestamps:00:00 Steve-O on Rogan: AA Indoctrination03:33 Rehab $100K for 30 days?!06:35 Inside Rehab: Meetings & Mind Control09:40 Creepy Roommates & “Therapy”11:22 12 Steps = Path to God15:02 Step Work → Mental Health Crisis16:30 Psych Ward After Step 418:53 Still Pushing AA?23:01 “You’re Never Free” Lie25:55 Always Recruiting, 1% Success30:07 Pickle Myth & AA LogicIn this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I react to Steve-O’s appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast — a textbook example of how AA ideology spreads through media and celebrity culture.This isn’t just a recovery story. It’s AA propaganda wrapped in a personal narrative, and Joe Rogan’s reactions are… kind of perfect.From $100,000 rehab bills to “you’re never free” indoctrination, this conversation exposes the emotional, financial, and psychological cost of AA’s outdated, unscientific model — including how Steve-O was institutionalized after doing the 12 steps.Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

🧠 AUTISM, A.A., & THE SINCLAIR METHOD | A powerful deconstruction story 🎙️00:00 – Intro AA, Autism, Sinclair Method00:48 – What A.A. Was Like at First03:16 – How Alcohol Helped Mask Autism Traits04:31 – Discovering Autism + Reframing "Alcoholism"09:39 – Critical Thinking & Cognitive Dissonance in A.A.16:03 – The Moment He Knew He Had to Leave AA20:58 – Starting the Sinclair Method23:32 – Reading The Cure for Alcoholism 25:18 – Dr. Silkworth: The Myth That Built A.A.27:46 – What Being on Naltrexone Actually Feels Like33:55 – Realizing A.A. Is a Cult + Starting to Deprogram42:00 – Books That Helped Him Escape A.A. Ideology50:39 – Autism, Endorphins & Naltrexone55:14 – Why You Need a Community After Leaving A.A.58:13 – Autism, ADHD & Rethinking Sobriety1:05:19– The Sinclair Method Stigma1:11:49 – Using A.I. to Support a Divergent BrainIn this special episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, Kirsten is joined by Josh — a subscriber, deconstructionist, and Sinclair Method success story — to unpack his experience leaving Alcoholics Anonymous, discovering his autism, and reclaiming his freedom.If you've ever felt gaslit by A.A., misdiagnosed, or curious about alcohol harm reduction alternatives like Naltrexone and The Sinclair Method… this conversation will light you up.Resources Mentioned:How I Overcame Alcoholism TEDx talkDeprogramming AA YouTube: Quackaholics AnonymousSinclair Method YouTube: Thrive Alcohol RecoverySinclair Method Discord📚 Books mentioned:The Cure for Alcoholism by Roy Eskapa Our Great Responsibility (Bill W's GSC talks)More Revealed US of A.A. by Joe Miller 👋 Want to join the Escape Kit community and get support deprogramming from A.A.?🔓 AA Escape Kit → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

📘 The Cure for Alcoholism — Book Review (Sinclair Method Deep Dive) Could a generic $2 pill actually reverse alcohol addiction? 🎙️ Timestamps:00:00 – The Cure for Alcoholism02:11 – Alcoholism cure: the core message03:19 – How I’d get sober if I could go back05:01 – Evidence based + FDA-approved since 199409:14 – What surprised me the most10:50 – Alcohol Deprivation Effect14:17 – Learning + unlearning addiction19:30 – Drink your way soberIn today’s episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I’m reviewing The Cure for Alcoholism by Dr. Roy Eskapa — and I’m OBSESSED.This book breaks down the science of the Sinclair Method in a way that’s practical, evidence-based, and radically more humane than the fear-based abstinence approaches most of us were handed. If you’re looking for a gentle, science-backed alternative to rehab or AA… this book (and this video) is for you.Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

Did I really have free will in my first AA meeting… or was I coerced into self-identifying?Today on Culty Comments, we’re unpacking the pressure, the mind control, and the emotional manipulation baked into Alcoholics Anonymous—starting with the forced identification as an "alcoholic."🎯 In this episode:The truth about group pressure and AA's identification ritualsWhy “you can leave any time” is a myth rooted in thought reformWhat happened when I tried not to say the words at my first meetingHow coercive control works in recovery—and why it’s so dangerousAre 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.

We don’t owe Bill Wilson’s cult religion sh*t.In this episode of Culty Comments, I respond to a viewer who accuses me of being “not a real alcoholic,” rallying hate, and owing something to AA because I once benefited from it.Let’s unpack the real issue: not toxic people… but toxic ideology.👉 The guilt trip.👉 The “real alcoholic” mind trap.👉 The indoctrination that tells us we must give it away to keep it.This episode isn’t about hate — it’s about deprogramming, reclaiming your mind, and getting free.Are 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.

Is TikTok trolling just bad behavior… or a hidden addiction? 00:00 Intro: Alcohol vs. TikTok Addiction09:06 Why Trolls Lash Out 11:13 Long-Term Fallout: Cross-Addictions12:36 Why TikTok Addiction Is Intense13:27 AA Steppers & Trolling14:09 AA and Cross Addictions: Deeper Truth17:40 Healing Anxiety + Trauma Tangent20:14 ADHD + Adderall Tangent22:33 My AuDHD OptimizationIn this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, we dive into the neuroscience behind alcohol addiction vs. social media addiction, and why AA trolls on TikTok might not be angry — they might be addicted to righteousness.We explore dopamine, intermittent reinforcement, identity fusion, and trauma. Then I tangent (hard) into how I healed my anxiety, optimized my ADHD brain without meds, and why critical thinking is the real path to freedom.Are 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 KitWant 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.

If I could go back to 2009—right before I went to rehab and spent 10+ years in AA—this is what I wish I knew. In this video, I share 4 alternatives to rehab and Alcoholics Anonymous that could have saved me thousands of dollars and a decade of my life. These tools are cheaper than rehab, faster than AA, and backed by science.👇 Videos you may vibe with:What is Sinclair MethodWhat is a SMART Recovery meeting like?What is SMART Recovery?AA Misdiagnosed Me As Alcoholic – I'm Actually Neurodivergent👋 Want to join the Escape Kit community and get support deprogramming from A.A.?🔓 AA Escape Kit → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

AA TikTok trolls aren’t just passionate — they’re in a chemical loop. 00:00 Intro AA TikTok Trolls02:43 Intermittent Reward05:09 1. Dopamine — The Hook05:44 2. Norepinephrine — The Rush06:50 3. Endorphins — The Emotional Relief07:46 4. Oxytocin — Tribal Belonging08:37 5. Cortisol — The Trigger10:07 Biochemical addictive loop12:40 AA ideology fails usThis video breaks down the neuroscience behind their compulsive behavior, including dopamine addiction, trauma bonding, and identity fusion. What looks like “sobriety” might actually be emotional dysregulation... disguised as spiritual recovery.If you’ve ever felt attacked by an AA loyalist online — this will explain what’s likely going on inside their brain.Are 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 KitWant 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 are AA TikTok trolls actually drunk on? It’s not alcohol. It’s control, certainty, and the chemical high of outrage. 👇 TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro AA Trolls Rage Addiction?02:05 1. Ideological Possession07:07 2. Reward-Seeking / Rage Addiction09:40 Unhinged AA Member Kept Coming Back11:47 3. Unhealed Trauma + Internalized Abuse13:11 4. Deindividuation + Mob Mentality16:02 Why TikTok Feels So Different from Other PlatformsThis episode breaks down the neuroscience behind their behavior — and how social media addiction, ideological possession, and unresolved trauma create the perfect storm.Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

Today we're reflecting on doing 90 in 90 — not meetings, but 90 days of AA dissenting. 👇 TIMESTAMPS00:00 90 in 90 intro02:14 Breaking my anonymity online03:40 Growth in 90 days of dissenting08:02 Advice I'd give my getting sober self13:56 Deconstructing AA journey15:41 Most harmful part of AA 19:40 Taking your power back after AA 26:07 Speaking out about AA31:36 What’s next for the channel + communityFor the past three months, I’ve been deconstructing Alcoholics Anonymous out loud online. What started as a scary moment of “coming out” has turned into a massive awakening.From reclaiming my power to unraveling the cult-like ideology of AA, here’s everything I’ve learned — and what I’d say to myself in 2009 before I ever set foot in a meeting.🎧 If you’re navigating the after-recovery void, deprogramming from AA, or just curious about alternatives — this one’s for you.Are 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 KitWant 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 Is a Sinclair Method Meeting Like? (My Honest Experience)I didn’t even know The Sinclair Method had meetings — so I went to one! In this video, I’m sharing exactly what it was like: the vibe, the shares, how it compares to AA and SMART, and what I loved (and didn’t love) about it.Welcome to the Sobriety Bestie Podcast — I’m Kirsten, and after 10 years in AA and 5 years of deprogramming, I’m exploring real alternatives to recovery dogma. Whether you're curious about harm reduction, neuroscience, or healing without the cult vibes, you're in the right place.🎙️ Timestamps:00:00 – What is a Sinclair Method meeting like?02:58 – What is The Sinclair Method05:35 – Why Sinclair Method has meetings06:25 – What a TSM meeting was like 09:07 – What TSM shares are like11:52 – My experience at the Sinclair Method meeting14:37 – What I liked and didn’t likeJoin our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

How Cult Indoctrination Mirrors Addiction (with AA as the Case Study)👇 TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro Cult Indoctrination + Addiction02:01 1. Dopamine-Driven Reinforcement04:33 2. Withdrawal When You Question or Leave08:12 3. Intermittent Reinforcement + Trauma Bonding10:17 4. Identity Fusion = Neurological Compulsion11:26 5. Rituals Become Self-Soothing AddictionsIn this first episode of our Addiction Science series, we explore how high-control systems like Alcoholics Anonymous mirror the brain patterns of addiction — from dopamine-driven rewards to trauma bonding, identity fusion, and ritualized self-soothing.If leaving AA felt like withdrawal, you’re not alone. And you’re not crazy — it’s neurological.This video dives into how cult indoctrination hijacks the brain’s reward systems, creates emotional dependency, and wires obedience into your sense of safety. We break down the science, the psychology, and the lived experience of what it’s like to leave a system that felt like your only lifeline — and realize it was an addiction in disguise.Whether you're deconstructing AA, leaving another high-control group, or simply curious about how cults mimic addiction... this one’s for you.Are 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 KitWant 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.

In today’s Culty Comments episode, we’re breaking down one of the worst AA defender comments I’ve received — and that’s saying a lot. From made-up accusations to full-blown victim-blaming, this one went way beyond “spirited disagreement.”Why do some people inside AA go this hard when someone speaks out?Let’s talk about it in the comments— the projection, the spiritual bypassing, the mind control, and why it’s so hard to leave AA and speak your truth.Join our deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

🎬 Welcome to our new series: AA PropagandaBrad Pitt just promoted AA to millions on Dax Shepard’s podcast which also got picked up on CNN and various news stations. What seems like an honest share is actually part of a much bigger problem…When celebrities talk about Alcoholics Anonymous like it’s the one true path to recovery — without acknowledging its 1930s cult roots, religious doctrine, or total lack of modern science — it spreads ideology, not information.This isn’t about Brad or Dax personally. It’s about how Alcoholics Anonymous has shaped culture, medicine, and minds through unexamined influence and media repetition. This is how the indoctrination spreads.Are 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 KitWant 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 Is The Sinclair Method? (Drink to Sobriety?)Is it actually possible to drink your way sober? Sounds wild — but the Sinclair Method is a real, evidence-based approach to ending alcohol addiction without cold turkey, meetings, or shame.After 10 years in AA and 5 years out, I’m diving deep into recovery alternatives that don’t require surrendering your life or identity. If you’re sober, sober curious, or just want options that aren’t culty church basements… this one’s for you.🎙️ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: What is The Sinclair Method?01:26 – Abstinence culture02:59 – What is Sinclair Method?06:25 – How Sinclair Method differs07:26 – Why Sinclair Method is not mainstream11:38 – Step 1: Learn about TSM15:03 – Step 2: Get a Naltrexone prescription16:35 – Step 3: Drink with Naltrexone17:17 – Step 4: It’s a process, not a miracle18:48 – Step 5: Sinclair Method support & communityCravings fade. Drinking often declines. Sobriety may naturally follow.No powerlessness. No steps. No lifelong labels.Just neuroscience + consistency.Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

Is Alcohol Addiction a Fatal Progressive Disease… or Just a Reversible Habit?Let’s unpack one of the most fear-based ideas in AA — the “disease doing pushups in the parking lot.”Spoiler: it’s not real. But something IS happening in the brain… and it’s actually reversible.🎙️ Timestamps:00:00 – Fatal progressive or habit intro03:10 – Fatal progressive disease mythology07:41 – Consequences of AA ideology09:59 – Fatal progressive disease roots14:16 – Alcohol deprivation effect18:29 – The Sinclair Method20:13 – Why Sinclair Method is unknownWe’re diving into propaganda, brain wiring, and how modern science debunks 1930s recovery mythology. This episode kicks off my AA Alternatives series — so if you’ve ever questioned what you were told in the church basement, this is for you.Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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 do you call it when someone is so deep in AA ideology, they literally can’t see reality anymore?In today’s Culty Comments, we unpack a wild comment that accuses me of “k*lling the real alcoholic” — all because I dared to say I’m not one. From purple-glasses metaphors to brainwashing cracks, we’re diving into ideological possession, thought control, and the bizarre ways AA defenders protect the system at all costs.🧠 Topics inside:What is ideological possession?“Real alcoholic” as a control tacticWhy AA defenders can’t let you leaveThe culty death-threat language hidden in “spiritual growth”And yes… the Big Book glassesJoin our deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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 happens when someone says AA worked for them — but they never did a 4th step, and now they can socially drink?In today’s episode of Culty Comments, we unpack the wild logic of “real alcoholic” rhetoric, circular definitions, and why AA defenders erase anyone who doesn’t fit the narrative. Plus… did someone really claim AA is scientific because Dr. Bob was a rectal surgeon?!Let’s talk about:The No True Scotsman fallacy in AAStepper-splaining and circular dogmaWhy questioning AA = instant exileJoin our deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

Today I share an overview of SMART Recovery—what it is, how it works, and how it compares to AA. I attended my first SMART Recovery meeting and completed the facilitator training to better understand the structure, tools, and philosophy behind the program.Timestamps:00:00 – What is SMART Recovery intro03:14 – What is SMART Recovery?05:41 – Who is SMART Recovery for?06:39 – Core features of SMART Recovery09:08 – How SMART differs from AA13:16 – What SMART meetings are like14:17 – SMART Recovery resourcesSMART Recovery is a science-based approach that supports people in changing addictive behaviors without labels, powerlessness, or a spiritual requirement. It emphasizes tools, self-management, and personal growth.This video is part of a larger series exploring non–12-step recovery paths for those looking for alternatives to AA or the lifelong recovery model.If you’ve participated in SMART Recovery or facilitated meetings, feel free to share your insights in the comments. Your experience may help others explore this option.Join our deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

My First SMART Recovery Meeting: What It Was Really LikeToday I’m sharing my honest experience going to a SMART Recovery meeting for the first time — even though I’ve been sober since 2009 and wasn’t looking for support getting sober. I did it to explore non-12-step recovery options and expand the conversation beyond AA.👇 Timestamps00:00 What SMART Recovery is like intro02:11 Who SMART is for02:57 Why I didn't go to SMART to get sober03:44 I went to an online SMART meeting07:25 SMART Recovery meeting starts09:48 SMART Recovery check-ins12:06 Guide vs Guru (and what the training actually says)14:13 What SMART shares are like19:26 How SMART talked about AA21:50 SMART meeting endingIn this episode, I break down what happened in the meeting, how it felt, how SMART compares to AA, and what surprised me (both good and not-so-good). If you’re deconstructing AA or just curious about SMART Recovery, this is for you.📚 I also completed SMART Recovery’s training this week, so I’ll be sharing more non-12-step resources here soon. Let’s build the playlist together!🎯 WHO THIS IS FOR:— People deconstructing from AA— Folks looking for science-based recovery— Anyone curious about SMART Recovery— Sober people wanting connection, tools, and community (not dogma)Join our deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

Is AA really attraction not promotion as it's traditions state? Let’s Talk About Those Billboards… 🚨⛓️AA claims attraction, not promotion — but national billboard campaigns, train ads, and bus stop posters tell a different story. In this episode of #CultyComments, we break down a recent 2024 paid ad campaign by Alcoholics Anonymous and explore why they might be ramping up promotion now.🎯 Is this a sign that AA is struggling to survive?💥 Is it gaslighting to call this “not advertising”?🧠 And what are they trying to sell you, really?We’ll also talk about:• Why these ads contradict AA’s core traditions• Whether meeting attendance is declining• How “attraction, not promotion” functions as a form of ideological control• And what it really costs to go to AA — financially and psychologicallyJoin our deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the kit: → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.Source 1Source 2Source 3Source 4

Rule #1 of a cult? It’s not a cult. Rule #2? You’re the problem.In this episode of #CultyComments, we dive into a classic AA-defender mindset: “You’re just bashing AA—you offer nothing helpful!” But what happens when you do offer resources... and they still say you’re wrong?🧠 This video explores:— Why AA ideology can’t tolerate dissent— The gaslighting built into “it works if you work it”— Why deconstructing AA ≠ bashing— And why AA’s tiny market share proves it's not “the only way”Continue your deconstructing AA journey with free resources and a community inside the Escape Kit.→ 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

AA vs. Cult: How Is Alcoholics Anonymous Like Scientology?In our new series AA vs. Cult series, we’re unpacking how Alcoholics Anonymous mirrors the structure, control, and indoctrination tactics of high-control groups — starting with Scientology.Join our deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course:→ 🌀 Deprogram AA Course 💬 Let’s Connect IG @SobrietyBestieTIkTok @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Realizing you were in a cult changes everything.In this episode of #CultyComments, I respond to someone who says being in AA makes you weak, codependent, and pathetic. But here’s the truth: being in a cult doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you’re human. And waking up to it? That’s power.We get into:— Why cults prey on smart, high-functioning people— The gaslighting baked into AA’s “you’re the problem” mindset— Why realizing AA is a cult can be very liberating— And how deconstructing AA unlocks freedomJoin our deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

Thinking critically isn't dangerous. It’s only “dangerous” to AA ideology — and that’s exactly why it matters.In this episode of #CultyComments, we break down a response from someone 30 years into AA who says my "Why I Left AA" video should be taken down. In this episode:— How AA identity creates fear of other perspectives— Why “you’ll drink if you leave” is toxic programming— What makes deconstructing AA a positive, life-giving process— And why you're allowed to think critically, trust yourself, and get freeJoin our deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here:→ 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

AA isn’t the only way—and this channel isn’t about getting sober. We are in our deconstructing AA era. Two different problems.In this episode of #CultyComments, we respond to someone confused about the difference. They ask: “What’s the positive solution?” But what if the solution is deconstructing the harmful beliefs AA installs?We’re talking:The myth of one-size-fits-all recoveryWhy “just be positive” = spiritual bypassingAA ideology as mental scaffolding that needs to be dismantledThinking critically is how we deconcstruct👉 If you’re here to reclaim your voice, not follow a script—this is your place.Join our deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here:→ 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

More was revealed… even five years after leaving AA.I thought I was done deconstructing. I thought I had moved on. But the deeper I spoke, researched, and connected — the more AA’s ideology kept showing up in my mind.In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I share:🧠 How AA’s programming lingers long after we leave📉 Why “more freedom” is possible after the escape📣 What I’ve learned from speaking out publicly🛠️ The tools + playlists that helped me deconstruct even further🏛️ Why AA’s ideology is more like a mental structure than a memory🧳 And how you can start unpacking it, tooWhether you left AA last week or 15 years ago — if you’re still feeling its grip, this is for you.Let’s unlearn, get free, and reclaim our truth together.YouTube playlists mentioned:AA Mind ControlYes AA is a CultAA Cult Religion OriginsGrab your free deprogram AA resources and community:→ 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

Did Bill Wilson—the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous—actually get sober on LSD? It’s a rumor that won’t die… but is there any truth to it?Let's break down where this myth came from, what really happened during Bill’s detox, and the actual hallucinogens involved in his early sobriety (hint: it wasn’t acid 👀).We’ll also explore:🍄 The truth about Bill’s later use of LSD in the 1950s🧠 The Belladonna treatment he received in the hospital⛪ The Oxford Group’s role in his spiritual conversion💊 What psychedelics have to do with modern recovery💬 And why this rumor might not be as wild as it seems…Timestamps:00:00 Bill got sober on LSD?01:16 He was on hallucinogens02:29 Psychedelics and sobriety05:32 Bill W. took LSDGrab your free AA Escape Kit here:→ 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

Ever been accused of “AA bashing” just for telling the truth?In this #CultyComments episode, we break down why that phrase gets thrown around so fast — and what it actually reveals about cult psychology. Spoiler: it's not about your tone. It's about their programming.Inside this episode:🚩 Why “AA bashing” is a classic thought-stopping tactic🧠 How cults use language to silence dissent🔥 Why feedback feels threatening to the indoctrinated📕 What Lifton’s criteria say about this exact behaviorCalling truth-telling “bashing” is a red flag — not because it hurts AA, but because it exposes it.Ready to start deconstructing AA? Grab your free:→ 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

The Serenity Prayer wasn’t written for Alcoholics Anonymous — It was written to resist authoritarianism. And its author likely would’ve hated that AA uses it.In Part 6 of the AA Cult Religion Origins series, we uncover how AA co-opted the Serenity Prayer from theologian Reinhold Niebuhr — a fierce critic of the Oxford Group and moral absolutism — and stripped it of its true meaning.Inside this episode:🔎 Who really wrote the Serenity Prayer⚠️ Why he opposed the Oxford Group (AA’s cult roots)🧠 How AA repurposed a resistance prayer into a tool for obedience📿 The disturbing irony behind chanting it at meetingsThe Serenity Prayer was never about passive acceptance — it was about moral courage. Yet AA uses it to reinforce powerlessness, surrender, and group control.This isn’t just a borrowed prayer. It’s another layer of AA’s myth, appropriation, and dishonesty.Ready to start deconstructing AA? Grab your free:→ 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

The 12 Steps weren’t created to help you recover — They were designed to make you surrender to God.In Part 5 of our Cult Religion series, we uncover the real origin of the 12 Steps. Not trial and error. Not divine inspiration. They were lifted directly from the Oxford Group — a 1930s religious cult obsessed with sin, confession, and absolute surrender to God.Inside this episode:🔎 Where each step really came from⚠️ How religious control was disguised as “recovery”🤯 How Bill Wilson didn’t invent the steps 📖 The disturbing links between AA’s program and moral re-armament tactics💥 The steps were never a medical solution. They were a religious conversion tool. And most of us had no idea.Ready to start deconstructing AA? Grab your free:→ 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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.

AA was NOT founded in 1935 — the early years were hidden.In this episode, we unpack AA’s “hidden years” — when the group wasn’t AA at all, but was still operating entirely inside the authoritarian Oxford Group cult religion.Timestamp:00:00 AA cult religion origins intro01:01 OG "AA" meetings04:19 Bill's split from Oxford Group07:12 Crafting AA's 12 stepsWant guidance in your deconstructing AA process? If so, you can check out my Deprogramming AA course here:🌀 Deprogram AA Course 🛒 Browse All Courses 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

“Do you think your videos have killed anyone?”Someone really said that — and it’s not uncommon. In culty systems, dissent isn’t just frowned upon — it’s framed as deadly.In this #CultyComments episode, we unpack why Alcoholics Anonymous defenders go to extremes like this. Why does speaking out about AA’s harm get twisted into killing people? Why is truth treated like a threat?We’ll break down:The culty roots of AA’s 12 StepsThe ideology behind calling critics dangerousWhy telling the truth isn’t the harm — it exposes itAnd what’s actually causing damage inside the roomsReady to start deconstructing AA? Grab your free:→ 🔓 AA Escape KitWant 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’s so courageous about leaving AA?” Well... let’s talk about it.If you’ve ever tried to leave Alcoholics Anonymous after fully buying in, you already know: it’s not just leaving the rooms. It’s walking away from an identity, a belief system, a community, and a mountain of fear-based programming that told you you’d die without it.In this Culty Comment episode, I break down why leaving AA is one of the most courageous things many of us will ever do — and why people who mock that don’t understand indoctrination, identity-level control, or phobia programming.Ready to start deconstructing AA? Grab your free:→ 🔓 AA Escape Kit Want 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.

How Bill W was coerced into a cult.. Bill W was drugged on Belladonna in an alcohol rehab center when he was coerced into a cult religion.For a year prior to that, Bill Wilson was aggressively recruited into the Oxford Group — a fundamentalist cult religion — by his friend Ebby then he became its proselytizer.What we were taught about the “birth of AA” is a false narrative. Timestamps:00:00 AA cult religion origins intro02:00 Ebby's coerced conversion02:48 Ebby coerces Bill's conversion06:58 Generational recovery trauma08:46 Bill starts deceptively proselytizing 11:48 Spiritual experience or coerced conversion?Want guidance in your deconstructing AA process? If so, you can check out my Deprogramming AA course here:🌀 Deprogram AA Course 🛒 Browse All Courses 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

Today we’re going deep into the cult that birthed Alcoholics Anonymous: The Oxford Group.AA didn’t start as an independent program — it was copied almost point-for-point from a religious cult with authoritarian, even fascist-tinged, ideology. 00:00 AA cult religion DNA intro01:02 Oxford Group + Alcoholics Anonymous 04:03 AA copied Oxford Group core practices06:14 Social control + structure 08:58 Psychological control techniques10:05 Authoritarianism + fascist Once you see the DNA of where AA really came from — you can start to truly deconstruct its hold on your mind.Want guidance in your deconstructing AA process? If so, you can check out my Deprogramming AA course here:🌀 Deprogram AA Course 🛒 Browse All Courses 💬 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 Alcoholics Anonymous STILL hide its origin?In this first episode of the AA Cult Religion DNA series, we’re diving deep into the mythology vs. reality of how AA really began — and why the truth has been covered up for nearly 100 years.Was it really founded in 1935?Why are the Oxford Group cult religion roots missing from AA’s official story?And what does this deceptive recruiting mean for those of us who trusted AA?Want guidance in your deconstructing AA process? If so, you can check out my Deprogramming AA course here:🌀 Deprogram AA Course 🛒 Browse All Courses 💬 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, we’re breaking down a classic fear-based Alcoholics Anonymous defense: “AA saves millions — your message could kill people!”Is it "badmouthing" to talk about the actual harms of a system? Or… is the system the one doing harm? 🤔We’ll unpack:✅ The myth of “millions saved” (with no data to back it)✅ How AA defenders use emotional blackmail to silence dissent✅ Why questioning the system is NOT the same as harming people✅ How coercive control works in AA ideologyWe are waking up to cult tactics in 2025. Talking about harm is not harm — it’s healing. Let’s get free.Deprogramming AA course:🌀 Deprogram AA Course 🛒 Browse All Courses 💬 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 Makes You the Problem — Culty Comments BreakdownToday’s Culty Comment is packed with manipulation tactics straight out of the AA ideology playbook. We’re going to break it down so you can see:✅ Dissent is pathologized✅ They question your motives✅ You become the problem if you see through the ideology⚠️ Remember — this isn’t about the commenter. It’s about the ideology that speaks through them — and how this shows up in so many interactions when you leave AA or start questioning it. This is about YOUR freedom.🌀 Deprogram AA Course 🛒 Browse All Courses 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestieDM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.Let’s get f*cking free.

How he rebuilt his life after leaving AA (Bob's story) is our first episode in what will be an ongoing series of sharing real stories of people who have left Alcoholics Anonymous and are building vibrant lives beyond the rooms.You know.. a little what it was like, what happened that made us leave AA and what it's like now...Some of you requested to hear other people's stories of leaving AA, so let's go!Today, I’m joined by Robert who I met in the rooms in 2009. He shares openly about his journey, insights, and reflections on Alcoholics Anonymous and on rebuilding his life after leaving AA.Timestamps:00:00 Intro Bob's story04:36 Critically thinking while in AA14:22 Building community after AA18:34 Deprogramming AA course20:17 Taking your power back23:15 5 Years after leaving AA reflections27:34 The 13th step29:20 Anxiety about speaking outWant to go deeper in your deprogramming AA journey? Check out my Deprogramming AA online course Bob spoke about in this video, here's the link:🌀 Deprogram AA Course 🛒 Browse All Courses 💬 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 do AA members deny your experience? Why do they say, “I never saw that, so it didn’t happen”? In today’s Culty Comments episode, I break down a classic AA defense tactic — and show how it’s rooted in AA ideology, not reality.If you've ever had your experience dismissed by someone in AA… this video will help you see what’s really going on — and why it’s not about you.Want to dive deeper into your deprogramming? Check out my online 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.

AA’s most brainwashing line? Let’s break it down. In today’s Culty Comments episode, I respond to a comment defending the classic AA identity statement: “Hi, I’m [Name], and I’m an alcoholic.”We’ll dissect the culty ideology behind this humiliation ritual and why it keeps members trapped in obedience and free labor for Bill’s program. If you’re on your own deprogramming journey — or wondering if you are — this one’s for you.Want to dive deeper into your deprogramming? Check out my online 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.

Yes AA is a cult. For me, leaving AA was harder than getting sober — it can take serious courage to break free.In this final video of my Yes, AA is a Cult series, we finish walking through the International Cultic Studies Association’s 15-point cult checklist .Timestamps:00:00 AA is a cult intro02:10 13 – Inordinate time demands08:30 14 – Insular social circles13:40 15 – No life outside the group + fear to leave19:26 Yes, AA is a cult conclusionIf you’ve felt trapped in AA, or struggled to fully leave it behind, this will resonate. And if you’re ready for deeper support, check out my Deprogram 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.

Welcome to Part 3 of our Yes, AA is a Cult series.Today, we're breaking down Points 9–12 of the Cult Checklist from the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) — and diving deep into how guilt, shame, recruitment, and financial manipulation are baked into the culture of Alcoholics Anonymous.Timestamp:00:00 AA is a cult intro01:09 9 – Guilt & shame as control08:01 10 – Cut ties & change goals13:20 11 – Recruitment17:44 12 – MoneyWant to dive deeper into your deprogramming? Check out my online 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.

AA made “obsession” a bad word — but for many of us (autistic, ADHD, neurodivergent), deep focus is just how our brains work. My work since 2012 has been to solve a major problem I went through then turn around and guide others through it on social media and in paid online courses. This is literally my job. So to call me "obsessed" with my current topic is like calling a barista obsessed with coffee, or a McDonald's worker obsessed with hamburgers. It's like, Bro, why you gotta pathologize work? And why make my natural wiring a "character defect?" But it's obvious why -- because it's not about "obsession," it's about AA. When you believe the AA ideology you can't tolerate those who don't and dare claim their story and voice. It feels like a threat. But that doesn't mean those who leave should stay anonymous and have no support. We deserve better.Timestamps:00:00 AA Makes Reality Wrong02:30 AA demonizes obsession07:47 Control or change the channel?09:32 Devaluing AA deprogramming12:13 It's about AA, not about obsessionWant to deep dive deprogram in an online course?🌀 Deprogram AA Course 🛒 Browse All Courses 💬 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 Culty Comments, we break down a classic guilt-laced message straight from the AA playbook — and unpack how emotional debt keeps so many people stuck.Is it really “help” if you’re made to feel forever obligated?Is it service… or subtle control?Let’s talk about what’s actually going on underneath the slogans.If you've ever felt like you "owe" AA your life — this one's for you.Want to deep dive deprogram in an online course?🌀 Deprogram AA Course, 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.

YES, AA is a cult. This is art 2 of a 4-part series comparing Alcoholics Anonymous to the “Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups” by Michael D. Langone, Ph.D. (International Cultic Studies Association).In this episode, we'll cover checklist points 5–8 with how they can show up inside Alcoholics Anonymous.If you’ve ever heard “don’t trust your thinking,” or “outside help won’t work,” you’ve lived this.Timestamps:00:00 Yes, AA is a cult intro01:14 5 – The group is elitist06:28 6 – Us-versus-them mentality12:45 7 – Leaders are not accountable18:12 8 – Ends justify the means mentalityWant to dive deeper into your deprogramming? Check out my online 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.