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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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.

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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

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Today we're unpacking a #CultyComment I got recently. To me, this is the biggest (or one of them!) mindf*cks in AA ideology.

Timestamps:

00:00 Biggest Mindf*ck in AA Ideology intro

03:22 1 - Disagreement is used as proof

06:14 2 - Denial isn't a diagnostic criterion

11:05 3 - Doubt as a symptom is a trap

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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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HAMS (Harm Reduction, Abstinence, and Moderation Support) is a peer-led and free-of-charge support and informational group for anyone who wants to change their drinking habits for the better.

Kenneth Anderson founded HAMS in 2006 / 2007. There's free downloadable worksheets on the HAMS website, there's a HAMS Facebook group which is also where they announce their Zoom meetings, and there is a HAMS book "How to Change Your Drinking" that details the HAMS principles and information about alcohol in general.

Timestamps:

00:00 HAMS intro

01:15 What is harm reduction?

03:24 How to drink less

06:43 Harm reduction + moderation difference

10:15 Why Ken started HAMS

17:15 The "choice" theory of addition

27:06 History of addiction treatment, Prohibition + AA

38:33 Substance use harm reduction

41:49 Mainstream addiction narrative misleading

50:06 How to get started with HAMS

57:19 Treatment history + belladonna

1:04:32 Can you cure alcoholism / addiction?

1:16:08 Harm reduction, moderation or abstinence?

1:18:00 Most surprising things since starting HAMS

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Brad Pitt announced today in Esquire magazine that he's drinking again after 7 years sober. This comes after last year when he said on Dax Sheppard's podcast that he went to Alcoholics Anonymous.

So today we're talking about how influential people, here specifically Brad Pitt, indeed to contribute to the public narrative on alcohol addiction recovery.

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

Today we have Tara Grace from Burn The Stigma back on the pod to talk about harm reduction including how Naloxone saved her life.

Timestamps:

00:00 Live saving convo intro

00:33 What is harm reduction?

03:10 Harm reduction goal

04:10: Who benefits from harm reduction

08:00 Alcohol harm reduction

12:39 Abstinence violation effect

13:49 Naloxone (Narcan) saves lives 1

7:43 How to respond to an overdose

24:54 Meeting people where they're at

30:14 Harm reduction advice + services

34:47 Harm reduction for loved ones

36:37 Harm reduction stigma

38:28 Harm reduction easier ask than abstinence

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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.

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

Tara Grace from Burn The Stigma and I are diving into AA ideology's doctrine to "look for the similarities, not the differences" - and how this can delay understanding of who or how we are and therefore adequate support, strip us of our individuality, and block us from getting better.

Timestamps:

00:00 Similarities not differences intro

01:22 Differences + getting better

03:44 Neurodivergent differences

05:31 Terminal uniqueness

13:25 Being told who you are

16:04 Belonging, connection, acceptance

23:16 The differences are interesting

🔥 Free Deprogram Course + leaving AA resources → here

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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.

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