Ep 183 Recruited Into 12 Step + Barely Survived – Jon's Story episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 13, 2026 · 2H 26M

Ep 183 Recruited Into 12 Step + Barely Survived – Jon's Story

from Kirsten Johnson Podcast

Jon barely survived 12 step. His courageous story highlights the harm inherent in 12 step ideology and the importance of trying something different if the "treatment" you are in is making you worse.Since leving NA he's created a "life beyond his wildest dreams." Truly an inspiration and I'm thrilled he's just begun his dissenting journey to help others recover from recovery and discover a life truly worth living.You can vibe with Jon here:Jon's Deprogramming YouTubeJon's other YouTubeTroubled Teen "Attack Therapy" From Recovery to Discovery FB GroupTimestamps:00:00 From Recovery to Discovery02:47 Childhood Abuse Conditioned Fast Indoctrination08:10 Therapist Recruits Him to NA14:42 18 Months In, 5 Years Out, Still Deprogramming20:40 Getting Shunned, Distrusting People + Making Friends26:46 Deconstructing 12 Step Mythology33:19 Mental Health Professionals Are Told To Recruit to 12 Step35:00 Misdiagnosis in AA + NA39:02 Can't + Won't Go Back to 12 Step42:43 12 Step Takes Lives59:27 Leaving NA + Reconnecting With Joy1:07:29 Healing After 12 Step1:19:12 Finding Healthy Communit6y + Connection1:25:20 Advice For Those Leaving 12 Step1:28:00 Stanton Peele's Life Process Program1:32:33 Synanon Based Troubled Teen Cult1:45:06 When the "Treatment" is Harmful1:56:12 Calling Addiction a "Disease" is Offensive2:01:00 Telling a Loved One 12 Step is Harmful2:05:57 Plans For DissentingResources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)🌀 Deprogram AA Course (free your mind at your own pace)Let’s get f*cking free

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Ep 183 Recruited Into 12 Step + Barely Survived – Jon's Story

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