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when I had come to the realization that the teachings of AA were contributing
to my continued feelings of self-doubt, guilt, shame and inadequacy.
I realized then, that if I did not leave AA, my chances of finding true happiness was zero.
So I left.
I hope that others find these words to be useful.
Apple of AAdeprogramming
= RECOMMENDED READING
AA and the question of gender -- Special concerns for women
Need a sponsor? Choose carefully!
What AA does for survivors of abuse or trauma
Predators in the rooms
Forgiveness, acceptance and the issue of social responsibility
Clean and serene (or an emotional time bomb in disguise)
Spiritual not religious -- U.S. courts don't agree
The hurtful use of slogans
AA - Your new dysfunctional family
Faulty logic - the building blocks of AA
What meeting makers really make
Anger, rebelliousness and other forbidden feelings
Survival counter slogans
The escape plan
The principles of AA (or learning to befriend your oppressor)
Losing touch with our own history
Program Jargon: Best/worst case scenario
I've done the steps... why do I feel worse?
So what is the draw?
Q & A with the author
Mail from our visitors
More mail from our visitors
More mail from our visitors (Mail sack #3)
More mail from our visitors (Mail sack #4)
More mail from our visitors (Mail sack #5)
More mail from our visitors (Mail sack #6)
More mail from our visitors (Mail sack #7)
More mail from our visitors (Mail sack #8)
If AA is so horrible, why is it so popular
and why do so many doctors, psychiatrists and courts send people there?
COLLECTIONS FROM OTHER CONTRIBUTORS
The submissions below are the uncensored and unedited views of the public.
They are brought to you by the First Ammendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.
The Steps We Took... (Which Are Not Found in the Big Book)
The Twelve Steps Debunked
Results of Former Reader Polls
The Nocebo Effect of Alcoholics Anonymous
Is Alcoholics Anonymous a Cult? An Old Question Revisitied
The "Disease"-d Theory
(Maybe AA is NOT a cult...) Toward a New Model of Cult Control
For Those Who Still Wish to Go -- AA Attendees' Mental Health and Survival Guide
Challenging Step One - Is Powerlessness Truly Empowering?
Autonomy and 12-Step Therapy: Can They Co-Exist?
AA and it's Herd Aspects Based in Superstition
Pardon us Mr. Wilson, but we noticed a few CONTRADICTIONS in your program
All Too Normal: Why The Disease Theory Hurts People
Alcoholics Can Be Cured -- Despite A.A.
How Can Young People Protect Themselves Against Cults
Social Psychology and Group Dynamics
Rules of Thumb -- Guidelines for a Sensible Approach to Lifestyle Change
Alcoholics Anonymous - Logical Thinkers Need Not Apply
The Prognosis for AA's Future
The Semantics of Twelve Step Neurosis
Challenging the "Lessons" of Recovery
Twelve Steps of Deprogramming from Alcoholics Anonymous
The Repeat (A Rehab Tragedy)
A Recovered Canadian Writes about AA's Pros and Cons
Goodbye After 15 Years
Confessions of an FA (Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous) Survivor
From Alcoholism to Feminism; Making the "ism" Work for You
I'm Out of AA Again--For Good
Unsupportable Claims Made at AA Meetings
Autonomous Thinker Shunned
Leave AA and Die or Stay in AA and Go Insane?
An Atheist Struggles with Alcoholics Assimilated
My Run-In With Overeaters Anonymous
Freedom
My First Three Months in AA -- By a Member From Downunder
My Problem Wasn't Alcoholism, But a Lack of Faith in Myself
My Recovery Included Unlearning the Self-Doubt Instilled by AA
Playing God
It's not just AA: 12 years of destruction in the LOVING hands of GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS
To Thine Own Self Be True -- A Young Woman Learns to Trust Her Inner Voice
Is Every Drinker an Alcoholic Waiting to Happen?
How and Why I Reclaimed My Common Sense and Chose to Leave AA
I Saw How AA Crushes Personal and Individual Growth
A Young Life on the Rocks... Rehab Hell and Back
For the Past Few Years, I've Felt Like a "Programmed Machine..."
My Hard-Earned AA Lesson? Never EVER Doubt My Inner Voice Again!
A Doctor Mis-Prescribes Drugs - An AA Horror Story
I Write From Jail - Is This The Bottom They Said I Needed?
May Your Force be With You! (One man's journey out the door marked EXIT)
or are seriously questioning the 12-step doctrine. It is also for those
who have a loved one caught up in the step religion. The focus of discussion
is on sharing experience with and information on the step groups. Perhaps our
most important function is to provide the first place where many can dare
be critical and not be accused by a "unanimous majority" of groupers of suffering
from one "defect of character" or another for doing so.
Although not the focus here, information on alternative organizations
and methods of resolving drinking problems are available for the asking.
NOTE: 12-Step-Free Zone is not owned nor is it moderated by AAdeprogramming.