Is AA a cult? NOT!

So is AA a cult? There are a few reasons why someone might think so, but if you look closely, you will see why I don't think so!

My name is Dr. Vera Tarman, and I am an Addictions Physician based in Toronto, Canada. I am the Medical Director of Renascent and a senior staff physician at Salvation Army. With over 20 years of experience, I have a passion for teaching the fascinating subject of the biology of addiction ie alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, and opiates, especially about sugar and food addiction.
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[andreamcmanus]

I appreciate this video and your thoughts. I believe in many paths to recovery. For me AA did more harm than good and utilize other programs.

[mikeg]

Another thing to really consider is that almost every single "sponsor" is NOT a licensed therapist and usually dont have their shit together enough to guide someone else.

[ButtSnorkler]

AA literally falls into every category of a cult you described, at least my local fellowship does

[doublequin]

AA is not a cult. It's a serious cult

[Vashti]

I'm 25 years sober and spent many years in the rooms of AA. I felt that sense of warmth and welcoming I never had before. I felt understood and learned I wasn't lower than snakes shit. I rebuilt my life. I married a man in AA. 20 years later, I found myself married to a narcissist and sponsored by a narcissist. When I woke up, it really hit hard. Both of them, the closest people in my life were hypocrites. I left the program and never looked back and DO NOT MISS IT or that damned "how it works".

[damuffin]

cult or not AA is a trash program that teaches bad lessons.

[MichaelAlbrecht-jxcp]

Yes aa is a cultult ( lived experience )
lt is ineffective and there os much ego driven behaviour, love bombing etc
Be very careful.

[Sindragosa]

At least seven of the twelve steps involve god. How is it not a cult?

[suzanneSSFL]

Thank you for explaining this. Really helped me understand How it works! Very much appreciate your service!

[MichaelAlbrecht-dz]

Don't do step 12..You will be cheated. Words of experience!!!.

[Americanpatriot-zotk]

Lady what are you gonna say you get paid to say that. You look like you’re an alternative lifestyle yourself and if you do believe it I’m not impressed I’ve been a registered nurse 39 years. I can spot Colts man control all the way down the line all it does is make you an emotional dependent people saying they got 35 years of sobriety to go to 10 AA meetings a week yeah all it matters is my sobriety etc. etc. etc. it didn’t do one damn thing to push you in normality of life which is probably will got you in trouble to begin with.

[Americanpatriot-zotk]

Well, AA does the same thing lady you ultimate you follow all that stuff and keep going down that road you’re literally walking off a damn cliff.

[neverstoplearning]

This is very helpful, not only because I agree with you :)....but because I hear the "cult" label used a lot lately, so its helpful to hear a concise definition of what a cult is and what it isn't.

[Jack-ilqv]

Thank you for your honesty. AA did me no harm but the illness does kill people. AA is not a cult but does contain individual members of cults. As alcholics, they, like all alcoholics, are welcome.

[Americanpatriot-zotk]

Well I’m gonna have to cut it off at three minutes I don’t wanna listen to anymore of this cultic propaganda.

[ButtSnorkler]

The manipulation and mind control of aa comes from extreme repetition

[ButtSnorkler]

I got extremely shamed for openly disagreeing with aa literature that said something like as alcoholics we are all the same. I talked about how individuality is important to my recovery and people got so mad at me. And Bill Wilson is still obsessed over at my fellowship at least.

[johnmcdermott]

The problem I regularly encounter is personality cults at the group level. AA needs to de-stigmatize the narcissistic and borderline personality disorders, for starters. Our antique 1939 and 1952 literature is now a millstone because it has not kept up with 'God will constantly disclose more to you and to us'. We need a modern Big Book.

[alicelira]

38 years and AA does not move me in anyway . I practice the steps and check in but i cannot live in meetings day in and out and talk 24 hours a out AA its boring now .moved on to learn new things besides AA . Hobbies are fun