Safe Recovery Podcast LEAVING Alcoholics Anonymous cover art

Safe Recovery Podcast LEAVING Alcoholics Anonymous

Safe Recovery Podcast LEAVING Alcoholics Anonymous

Written by: Monica Richardson
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About this listen

Safe Recovery is a new series examining predatory behavior, power dynamics, and cultural issues inside 12 step meetings and the broader recovery industry.

Our mission is simple: Empowerment — not powerlessness.

This show explores modern, ethical, evidence-based, and spiritually diverse approaches to alcohol and drug overuse. We discuss alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous and traditional 12 step programs, while supporting authors, clinicians, and advocates who are creating new pathways to healing.

Safe Recovery highlights:

• Alternatives to AA
• Recovery without powerlessness
• SMART Recovery and cognitive-based approaches
• Moderation and harm reduction
• Secular and spiritual healing models
• Addiction treatment reform
• Protecting vulnerable people in recovery spaces

We believe people deserve informed choice.

Sobriety, moderation, or a different path entirely — empowerment means you choose what works for your life.

Americans deserve recovery models rooted in dignity, autonomy, accountability, and evidence — not shame or coercion.

Safe Recovery is about building a culture of informed recovery, personal responsibility, and real healing.

Copyright 2011-2026 Monica Richardson. All Rights Reserved
Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Local Citizens In Florida Threatened by NA/AA Members
    Feb 19 2026

    This episode was originally published in May 2011. In a small town near Daytona Beach, Florida is a park (Holly Hill) where NA and AA meetings have been meeting for over 17 years. Recently a group of local concerned citizens near the park has had their lives threatened numerous times by numerous AA/NA members.

    Police were called, City Council meetings were held, neighbors signed petitions, newspapers reporters wrote stories and NA World Services/AA World Services were called to address this threatening behavior. What role does each World service hold with regards to responsibility of members and meetings. Why do these members feel entitled to take this park hostage as "theirs"?

    A controversial look at a serious problem dealing with both sober/clean addicts & alcoholics. Where is their spiritual practice? Are they paying rent for the pavilion like the local residents do?

    Harriet will join us to share what she is doing to raise awareness and to protect minors.

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    1 hr
  • I Am Not Broken - Are You? Lies 12 Step Culture Tells Youth
    Feb 16 2026

    This episode was originally published in March 2012.

    Are you a man/woman/teen who has lost his/her legs and will never grow new ones. (quote from Big Book of AA)

    Who was Bill W and what did he know about a teenager who is drinking too much. Nothing! Parents, young people who are over doing in the drink and drug department need to listen to this show.

    Would you listen to a Doctor who was reading a manual from 1936? I doubt it, yet this is what AA, NA and 95% of all treatment and rehabs preach. I say ...STOP THE MADNESS!!!

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    55 mins
  • Recovering From Recovery: A New Anti AA Site
    Feb 9 2026

    This episode was originally published on July 17th, 2012. Here is a new site for bloggers that is troll free. Many bloggers left OPF and after Sinkin thinkin shut down ( although I hear it's up again to post comments) we didn't have a place to go and communicate safely.

    Created by UK Blogger, mfc66, it is filling a void many of us all felt we needed.

    Ex Steppers, Ex Al ANON members and ex 12 step person of any kind are finding a safe haven here to discuss the many problems in and around the 12 step culture and how it has invaded our government, entertainment and healthcare.

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    45 mins
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