What happens when a leading addiction expert acknowledges that AA is a cult, says that’s precisely why it works, and then dismisses criticism of 12-step programs as “bashing”?

In this episode, I examine the dangerous blind spot around AA in the addiction field, how the language of “AA bashing” turns people raising concerns into the aggressors, and why openly discussing risks and harms is essential for harm reduction and informed consent.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro experts dangerous AA blind spot

01:47 Critiquing a cult is "bashing?"

03:10 AA works because it's a cult

07:02 Calling criticism "bashing"

11:05 Anti-harm reduction centering

14:31 Applying the same logic to cults

19:10 Recovery narrative needs updating

Sources:

Why 12-step programs work for addictions | Peter Attia and Anna Lembke

Understanding & Treating Addiction | Dr. Anna Lembke

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⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m not a therapist, doctor, or licensed healthcare provider. Everything shared is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional care.

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I read an interesting piece of AA history this week and thought I'd share it with you to see what you think. The book is Not-God: A History of Alcoholics Anonymous book by historian Ernest Kurtz.

🔥 Free Deprogram Course + leaving AA resources → here

🧠 Brain optimization tools → here

❤️‍🔥 If you’re ready to stop holding yourself back → here

Come vibe with me:

Kirsten's Facebook

Kirsten's Instagram

Kirsten's TikTok

📱 My content creation setup (camera, mic, lighting, etc.) → here

💻 Tools + software I use to run my business and create online → here

⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m not a therapist, doctor, or licensed healthcare provider. Everything shared is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional care.

💖 Some links may be affiliate links. I only share what I genuinely use and love.

What if the way we’ve been taught to think about addiction and recovery is actually getting in the way of helping people? In this episode, I sit down with harm reduction pioneer DeeDee Stout to talk about autonomy, moderation, abstinence, AA, treatment, and why meeting people where they are can make the difference.

Timestamps:

00:00 Change your drinking intro

06:21 S*icide in AA

09:09 Unraveling AA beliefs about recovery

16:36 How AA became the default

20:17 Relapse prevention, harm reduction + abstinence

28:22 Addiction treatment w/o abstinence

36:00 AA: mainstream recovery narrative + policy

46:39 D*ath threats from AA members

53:16 Brad Pitt drinking moderately

58:14 Thinking about drinking again

1:00:00 Bill W was her grand sponsor

1:04:24 Getting support w alcohol addiction + moderation

1:14:15 S*xual trauma, addiction + recovery

1:21:39 Informed consent: addiction recovery + AA

1:41:35 A shift in the recovery world

1:51:14 Books to help change your drinking

1:56:00 Working with Dee-Dee Stout

🔥 Free Deprogram Course + leaving AA resources → here

🧠 Brain optimization tools → here

❤️‍🔥 If you’re ready to stop holding yourself back → here

Come vibe with me:

Kirsten's Facebook

Kirsten's Instagram

Kirsten's TikTok

📱 My content creation setup (camera, mic, lighting, etc.) → here

💻 Tools + software I use to run my business and create online → here

⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m not a therapist, doctor, or licensed healthcare provider. Everything shared is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional care.

💖 Some links may be affiliate links. I only share what I genuinely use and love.