12 Steps
12 episodes tagged "12 Steps".
Is AA Still Working in 2025?
⚡ “AA: Boot camp back then, yoga class now?” Welcome back to Sober Psychology, where we don’t just sip the Kool-Aid—we spike it with some uncomfortable truths. Today, we’re looking at the evolution of Alcoholics Anonymous and asking: did it get stronger, or just softer? Membership basically flatlined around 1993 at 2 million, right when insurance-funded rehabs started pushing what I call AA Lite. The Atlantic (2015) even called AA “irrational,” pointing out it’s rooted in 1930s brain science. And now? With agnostic meetings and online groups, AA is more inclusive than ever—but purists call it dilution. The New York Times (1988) noted that as stigma around alcoholism faded, AA diversified. What used to feel like boot camp now feels closer to yoga with prayers. Some say it doesn’t work anymore. Others say maybe we stopped working it—or maybe society just got too soft for surrender. But here’s the thing: evolution isn’t always bad. Today, AA exists in 180 countries, blending with modern psychology like CBT hybrids. And let’s kill the myth of the “good old days”—even the founders relapsed. If AA feels watered down, maybe it’s because recovery itself has gone mainstream, not because the program lost its bite. 💬 What do you think? Is AA adapting in the right ways—or has it lost its edge? Comment below.
How Carl Jung Changed AA Forever
🌌 Carl Jung, AA, and the Power of Surrender 🌌 Pop psychology eats this up—and for good reason. Jung’s idea of the collective unconscious helped inspire AA’s concept of a spiritual awakening, transforming personal hell into group healing. That’s what makes Jung so fascinating, and honestly, why I’m grateful to be on this path. Now, I’ll be straight with you: I haven’t split from AA, but I’m not as rigid about the steps as I once was. Over time, I’ve found other ways that accomplish the same transformation in ways that fit where I am in life now. But let me make this clear: if you commit to the 12 Steps, they work. Every. Single. Time. The catch? You can’t half-ass it. You can’t say, “I’ll do 99% and keep this one little piece for myself.” That doesn’t work. Recovery requires surrender—not just compliance. Compliance is following rules with your fingers crossed. Surrender is laying it all down. And when you truly surrender? That’s when the steps become life-saving.
Is AA a Cult? Unpacking the Stigma and Truth of Alcoholics Anonymous | Episode 44
Hey, you beautiful fighters! It’s Michael, your Sober Psychology host, tackling a big question everyone’s whispering about in this episode: "Is AA a Cult? Unpacking the Stigma and Truth of Alcoholics Anonymous." We’re diving into the rumors, the history from Carl Jung’s influence to the basement beginnings, how AA might’ve gotten a bit softer over time, and the real-deal benefits backed by science. If you’re in recovery or just curious about Alcoholics Anonymous, this raw chat cuts through the BS with some dark laughs and hard truths. Stick around for insights that could change how you see sobriety. Hit that like button, subscribe for more no-holds-barred psychology talks, and share with someone who needs it. New episodes every week on YouTube and Spotify—let’s stay real together! References: - Alcoholics Anonymous. (2001). Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism (4th ed.). Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. - Kelly, J. F., et al. (2020). Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3. - Humphreys, K., et al. (2014). Self-help organizations for alcohol and drug problems: Toward evidence-based practice and policy. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 46(1), 1-10. - Kaskutas, L. A. (2009). Alcoholics Anonymous effectiveness: Faith meets science. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 28(2), 145-157. - Tonigan, J. S., et al. (2013). Spirituality and Alcoholics Anonymous. Southern Medical Journal, 106(1), 15-20.
Journaling: Your Brain's Brutal Therapy Session or Total BS? | Episode 43
Hey, you beautiful disasters! It’s Michael, your Sober Psychology host, back with another episode that’s gonna hit you harder than a sobriety checkpoint. We’re diving into why scribbling your thoughts isn’t just for angsty teens—it’s a game-changer for your mental health and recovery. I’m breaking down the science, from Alcoholics Anonymous wisdom to legit studies, showing how journaling can tame your inner chaos, boost self-awareness, and keep your sobriety on lock. Expect raw truths, a few dark chuckles, and practical tips to make your journal your new best friend (sorry, Netflix). Whether you’re fighting addiction, stress, or just your brain’s BS, this episode’s got you. Smash that like button, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to spill their guts on paper. New episodes drop weekly on YouTube and Spotify—let’s keep it real! References: - Alcoholics Anonymous. (2001). Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism (4th ed.). Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. - PositivePsychology.com. (n.d.). 5 Benefits of Journaling for Mental Health. Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-journaling/ - Huffman, J. C., et al. (2024). A randomized feasibility study of a positive psychology journaling intervention for patients with substance use disorders. ScienceDirect. - University of Rochester Medical Center. (n.d.). Journaling for Emotional Wellness. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4552 - Silver Ridge Recovery. (2024). Unlocking Long-Term Recovery: The Healing Power of Journaling for Adults. https://www.silverridgerecovery.com/unlocking-long-term-recovery-the-healing-power-of-journaling-for-adults/ - American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Expressive writing can help your mental health. https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/expressive-writing - Mental Health Center. (2025). The Connection Between Creativity and Mental Health. https://www.mentalhealthctr.com/the-connection-between-creativity-and-mental-health/ - Spectrum Health Systems. (2025). Exploring the Therapeutic Benefits of Journaling in Addiction Recovery. https://www.spectrumhealthsystems.org/exploring-the-therapeutic-benefits-of-journaling-in-addiction-recovery/ - Resources to Recover. (2021). The Benefits of Journaling for Mental Health. https://www.rtor.org/2021/04/24/the-benefits-of-journaling-for-mental-health/ - American Addiction Centers. (2024). Why Journaling is a Powerful Recovery Tool. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/journaling-recovery - Robin Recovery. (2025). The benefits of journaling during addiction recovery. https://www.robinrecovery.com/post/the-benefits-of-journaling-during-addiction-recovery?67289134_page=11 - HelpGuide.org. (2024). Journaling for Mental Health and Wellness. https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/journaling-for-mental-health-and-wellness - Ivory Plains Recovery Center. (2024). Try Journaling for Better Mental Health. https://ivoryplainsrecovery.com/blog/try-journaling-for-better-mental-health/ - Psychology Today. (2025). Journaling in College: A Low-Tech Mental-Health Enhancer. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/college-mental-health/202506/journaling-in-college-a-low-tech-mental-health-enhancer - UP Magazine. (n.d.). The Mental Health Benefits of Journaling: Releasing, Reflecting, and Rebuilding. https://upmag.com/the-mental-health-benefits-of-journaling-releasing-reflecting-and-rebuilding/
Imposter Syndrome: Why Your Brain Thinks You’re a Fraud | Episode 42
Hey, you beautiful chaos machines! It’s Michael, your Sober Psychology host, diving headfirst into the messy, mind-bending world of imposter syndrome. Ever feel like you’re faking it—at work, in recovery, or just in life? Yeah, that’s your brain pulling a prank, and we’re here to call it out. With insights from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book and hard-hitting psychological research, I’m breaking down why you feel like a fraud, how to shut that voice up, and why you’re already killing it (even if you don’t believe it). Packed with real talk, practical tips, and a few laughs to keep it light, this episode is for anyone who’s ever doubted themselves. Hit that like button, subscribe, and share with someone who needs a reminder they’re a freaking legend. New episodes drop weekly on YouTube and Spotify—let’s keep the recovery real! References: - Alcoholics Anonymous. (2001). Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism (4th ed.). Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. - Baumeister, R. F., et al. (2008). Bad is stronger than good. Psychological Review, 108(4), 379-394. - Bravata, D. M., et al. (2019). The power of verbalizing imposter feelings: A randomized controlled trial. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 45(7), 1032-1045. - Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (2011). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Journal of Behavioral Science, 15(3), 241-247. - Cokley, K., et al. (2020). The roles of cognitive distortions and imposter phenomenon in academic settings. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 44(2), 301-312. - Kelly, J. F., et al. (2017). Social identity and recovery: The role of belonging in 12-step groups. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 80, 12-19. - McGrath, R. E., et al. (2018). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for imposter syndrome: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(9), 1456-1469. - Neff, K. D., et al. (2021). Self-compassion and imposter syndrome: A pathway to psychological resilience. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 658. - Smith, M. M., et al. (2022). Perfectionism and imposter syndrome: The role of “good enough” mindsets. Journal of Personality, 90(3), 421-435. - Stoeber, J., & Otto, K. (2016). Positive conceptions of perfectionism: Approaches, evidence, challenges. Personality and Individual Differences, 99, 234-240. - Vogel, E. A., et al. (2019). Social comparison and self-esteem on social media: A meta-analysis. Computers in Human Behavior, 98, 168-175. - Wei, M., et al. (2020). Journaling as a tool to combat imposter syndrome: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 67(4), 456-467.
Carl Jung's Shocking Insights on Addiction & Spirituality
🔥 “Before AA was born, Carl Jung cracked open the soul of addiction.” Let’s rewind the tape to the roots of recovery. Before 12 steps, before The Big Book, before “Hi, I’m [insert name here], and I’m an alcoholic” — there was a Swiss psychiatrist named Carl Jung, staring addiction in the face and saying, “This isn’t just a disease. This is a spiritual crisis.” Yeah. Jung — the same guy who gave us shadow work, archetypes, and the collective unconscious — was the spark behind AA’s origin story. When nothing else worked, when psych wards and theories failed, he had the audacity to say what no one in the scientific world dared: the alcoholic needs a spiritual awakening to recover. And that insight passed from one man to another… until it landed with Ebby Thatcher, who carried it to Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. That chain of conversations? It wasn’t just small talk. It was a spiritual transmission that launched the recovery movement. In this episode, I break down the forgotten psychological and spiritual backbone of addiction recovery — and why ignoring either is like trying to fix a sinking boat with duct tape and denial. Jung wasn’t just ahead of his time. He defined the time that came next.
Can Psychology Help You Stay Sober?
🔥 “The Big Book isn’t just spiritual fluff — it’s psychology before psychology caught up.” Look — I’m not here to worship the Big Book, but I am here to tell you that what’s in those pages holds real psychological weight. The roots of AA? Carl Jung. The framework? Grounded in behavioral transformation. The steps? A map for rewiring the brain and healing the soul. 🧠 This podcast isn’t just about recovery — it’s about understanding why recovery works. That means we pull from the Big Book and we stack it with modern neuroscience and clinical research. Because guess what? Most of what’s in AA has now been validated by psychology journals with words nobody can pronounce. Bill W. didn’t have fMRI scans or dopamine charts. But what he did have was lived experience, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of spiritual psychology — long before the textbooks caught up. So no, we’re not doing a Big Book worship session. But we are showing you that recovery is both ancient wisdom and cutting-edge science. And if you’re serious about getting free? You’re gonna need both.
Relapse Unraveled: The Brutal Truth About Falling Off the Wagon | Episode 41
Join Michael, your host and psychologist-in-training, on Sober Psychology as we dive deep into the raw truth about relapse in drug and alcohol addiction. In this episode, we unpack why relapse happens, drawing from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book and cutting-edge psychological research. Expect hard-hitting insights, practical tips, and a dose of dark humor to keep you hooked. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just curious about the psychology of addiction, this episode is for you. Subscribe for weekly doses of real talk on mental health and recovery!
Breaking the Cycle Sobriety and Facing Your Shadow
⚠️ “You’re Not Just Quitting Booze—You’re Confronting Your Shadow” Here’s a raw truth from someone who’s lived it: When I hit rock bottom, I wasn’t just drinking for fun—I was drinking to numb depression. Every hangover made it worse. I'd wake up hating myself… then drink because I hated myself. That’s the cycle of addiction: a self-made loop of misery and self-destruction. And breaking it? That was hell—because it meant facing the monster without the bottle. Facing the depression. No escape. No anesthetic. Just raw, unfiltered reality. But that’s the first real step in recovery. And here's where we bring in Carl Jung. He called it confronting the shadow—the dark, unconscious part of yourself you’ve spent years running from. Getting sober? That’s not the end of the journey. That’s the doorway to it. The 12 steps? They aren’t just about abstinence. They’re about transformation. It’s not just quitting alcohol—it’s gaining freedom from the inner torment that made you drink in the first place. So if you’ve quit, if you’re trying to quit—you’ve already faced the dragon. Now it’s time to do the work. The shadow is waiting.
Sober Journey Recalibrating Life After Alcohol Addiction
🎯 “The World Was Painted Gray” – What They Don’t Tell You About Sobriety Most people think that when you quit drinking, life immediately gets better. But let me tell you—from lived experience—the real battle begins after the bottle. I remember sitting in my room, 100% sober, and the world felt like it was painted in gray. Not sadness. Not grief. Just… nothing. And that, my friends, is your brain trying to recalibrate. See, when you’ve used alcohol to artificially spike your dopamine for years, your baseline neurochemistry tanks when you quit. You’re not just facing “life without booze,” you’re facing life with deficient dopamine—the very thing that once made sunsets beautiful and jokes funny. This isn’t just anecdote. It’s neuroscience. Recalibration takes time. Months. Sometimes years. That’s why most recovering addicts feel flat, joyless, even disoriented long after detox ends. The problem isn’t just in the body—it’s in the mind. Addicts aren’t weak—they’re chemically rewiring themselves in real time. That’s brutal. But here’s the good news: freedom is on the other side. When the color starts to come back, it’s not artificial—it’s earned. 🧠 Psychological insight meets real talk. If you’re on this journey, don’t give up. The gray fades. The light returns.
Grieving: The Chaos You Can’t Outrun | Sober Psychology Episode 25
Hey Sober Psychology crew, it’s Michael! In this powerful episode, we’re diving into the raw, messy world of Grieving—because loss isn’t just about saying goodbye; it’s about facing what addiction took from you and rebuilding in recovery. With a mix of brain science, Kübler-Ross’s stages, and a few laughs to keep it real, I unpack why you can’t outrun grief (spoiler: it’s faster than you). From denial to acceptance, we’ll explore how grieving shapes sobriety and sets you free. Join me for 40 minutes of insight and heart—audio on Spotify, video on YouTube. Share your story below!
Compliance vs. Surrender: The Psychological Tightrope | Sober Psychology Episode 24
In this episode, we’re tackling a psychological showdown for the ages: Compliance vs. Surrender. Ever wonder why you say "yes" when your soul’s screaming "no"? Or how letting go might just be the secret weapon in your recovery arsenal? As your resident psychology nerd (with a dash of humor to keep it real), I’m diving deep into the mind’s tightrope—breaking down Milgram’s shocks, Jung’s shadows, and what 12-step programs get right. We’ll explore how compliance keeps us stuck, especially in addiction, and why surrender isn’t giving up—it’s leveling up. Expect some laughs, a few "aha" moments, and practical insights you can take into your sober journey. Hit play, drop a comment, and let’s wrestle with this together!