A.A. Is It A Cult?

Estimated read time: 13 min

Over the years, I have heard many a debate about whether or not alcoholics anonymous is a cult. There are plenty of strong opinions, both sides can get a bit strong worded, and that’s okay. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and if you’re reading this, it occurs to me that you MIGHT be interested in mine. 

If I can, let me start by asking that before we start casting judgement and formatting strong concrete decisions regarding what this post is about; can we collectively agree to practice the principles of open-mindedness and willingness? (Check out my other post: How Free Do you Want To Be for more on that topic)

If you will, humor me by reading this post entirely before rapid firing at me in the comment section. You never know…I might just surprise you. 

As many of you may know, I found my sobriety through the rooms of alcoholics anonymous. Similarly, you may also know that for a brief stint of time in my early days I struggled with certain concepts of AA. 

There seemed to be a fair amount of “group think,” brainwashing, belief systems, and even a hierarchy of members within this program of recovery. 

Within the rooms of alcoholics anonymous, there was what I perceived to be judgement, cliques, condescension, and strict rules in addition to the secrecy and mystery that seemed to surround the people at the meeting. 

It occurred to me several times, early on, that this whole A.A.-thing was in fact a cult.  idea that I had found a real-live cult and secret society was amusing to me. You see, I am a bit strange. Those who know me well will tell you that I’m eerily fascinated by cults, secret societies, murder conspiracies, and all things mysterious. 

I’m not what I would consider “a fan” of these things, but I’ve done my fair share of research into The Manson Family, the Tara Grinstead Muder Case, the OJ Simpson trial, and other similar cases. I have spent entirely too much time, energy, and effort watching “Dateline NBC,” “Criminal Minds” and “The First 48,” reading case studies about serial killers, and listening to podcasts about cold cases. 

So yeah, I’m a bit strange when it comes to that kind of stuff. So, forgive me if I feel even remotely qualified to give you my unprofessional, amateur opinion regarding my analysis of whether or not the anonymous twelve-step program of AA is or is not a cult. 

According to the highly reputable source, “Wikipedia,” a cult is defined as: “a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs or rituals and their common interests in a particular personality, object, or goal.” Hmm…. 

Perhaps a more simplified definition is that given by “Tennessean.com,” according to the writers over there: “a cult is a collective or movement held together by a shared commitment to a charismatic leader or particular ideology.” Sound familiar at all? 

Let’s break it down a bit further, though, shall we?

At this point, you already know I am a bit kooky. It should come as no surprise that over the years, I have done my fair share of research and google deep dives on cults and what exactly makes a cult a cult.

My favorite and most simplistic breakdown of cult culture can actually be found in the podcast, “Sounds like A Cult,” hosted by Amanda Montell and Isabela Medina-Maté. In their podcasts, they discuss various communities, populations, and groups of people that sound like they could be a cult and analyze whether or not said groups are, in fact, a cult.

There is a type of framework or rubric, so to speak, that helps to determine IF a group or culture is indeed a cult. So, here’s a general breakdown of how it works. When trying to determine if any group is a cult, we may find it beneficial to ask ourselves the following questions:

1)    Is there an Us vs. Them Mentality?

2)    Is there “the ends justify the means” philosophy?

3)    Is there one central “charismatic” leader?

4)    Does the group stand on any supernatural beliefs?

5)    Is there financial exploitation?

6)    Entrance/Exit Costs?

7)    Are there punishments/reprimands for doubt or skepticism?

8)    Is there a classist or hierarchal structure?

9)    Is there a process of indoctrination into the group?

10) Is there an inherent destructiveness or call for violence towards outsiders?

Let’s take a pause for just a moment. Remember I asked you at the beginning to suspend any snap judgments until the end. I’d like to reiterate that request now.

Perhaps you are currently working a 12-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous, or otherwise… don’t freak out, I know how it looks right now.

Maybe you are trying to figure out if alcoholics anonymous is for you… don’t be scared, I get how it may look right now.

On the off chance that you are simply an earth person looking to learn more about 12-step programs… definitely stick around. We’re just getting started.

AND, if you are already a skeptic of alcoholics anonymous… don’t get too cocky, your suspicions may seem confirmed now, but we’re not done yet.

Okay, let’s resume. I’d like to address each of the above questions, one at a time.

1.     Is there an Us vs. Them Mentality?

Technically, yes. In Alcoholics Anonymous there is definitely a construct of alcoholics vs. non-alcoholics. Pickles vs. Cucumbers, if you get that reference, we’d probably be good friends.  With that being said, it is common knowledge that individuals who have never struggled with addiction do not nor will they ever fully understand what it means to be an alcoholic or addict. They certainly can never understand what it feels like to be addicted to something that you know is ruining your life and be unable to stop on your own. Right or wrong?

2.     Is there “the ends justify the means” philosophy?

This is a challenging one. I have heard a common phrase around the rooms that “it gets easier” or “it took everything I did in active addiction to get me to where I am today.” Both of those, to me, sound like the ends justify the means it took to get here. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In active addiction, an addict or alcoholic like myself doesn’t lie, cheat, steal, or harm others with the idea that eventually, something wonderful and amazing will be the result. We do it to get our fix, plain and simple. So, my thought is, yes and no, when it comes to the idea that “the ends [recovery] justify the means [sobriety].” In fact, most alcoholics I know will tell you that they wish they had found recovery before their active addiction got so bad. Right or wrong?

3.     Is there one central leader?

So this one gets a little tricky, too. In theory, there is no “leader” of AA. There are two founders, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, but the traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous state, “Our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern.” It also is important to note, however, that there are “Founder’s Day” celebrations held all over the world, which has always been a little sketchy sounding to me. At the end of the day, there are multiple chapters or branches of the program of A.A., and there is no one, governing leader that makes decisions for each individual group across the globe. Perhaps in some groups, there is an old-timer who likes to think they can call the shots, or make decisions for the group, but that is not in accordance with the principles of the program. Right or wrong?

4.     Does the group stand on any supernatural beliefs?

This is entirely dependent on whom you talk to and when in their sobriety you talk to them. Alcoholics Anonymous does refer to itself as a spiritual program and is known to have been founded on principles from the Christian religion. BUT, when it comes to whether or not you have a “higher power,” or who and what that higher power is, it’s entirely up to the individual to decide. Right or wrong?

5.     Is there financial exploitation?

This I can answer with complete confidence, no. Every meeting I have ever been to at this point in my sobriety clearly states, “there are no dues or fees for AA,” and that they are “self-supporting by their own contributions.” No one at any point in time is required to give any amount of money regardless of their participation in the program. Donations received are strictly for paying the group’s rent, keeping the lights on, paying for coffee supplies, etc. Right or wrong?

6.     Are there costs associated with joining or leaving the program?

Nope. While some of us may argue that we had to burn our lives to the ground before coming to the program, it is by no means a requirement. I had to hit rock bottom several times before I was willing to join the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. It was not a requirement. Many people find their way into the rooms of AA before their life is in complete ruins. Many people leave AA to find a different way of recovery, to go back out into active addiction, or simply decide that AA doesn’t work for them. There is no cost, financial or otherwise, you can come and go at your own discretion, and at your own risk. You decide the terms. Right or wrong?

7.     Are there any punishments or reprimands for doubt or skepticism?

Great question. If you’re an alcoholic or addict who found the program and stuck around for a bit, you know that those who come in and are skeptical of the program or doubtful about the steps are sometimes met with snide commentary, snarky remarks, or the occasional statement, “go ahead and try that when you find out it doesn’t work… you’ll come back.” In my opinion, as biased as it might be, I think these comments are made more out of passion and fear for the struggling newcomer.

Those of us, who have gotten a few 24 hours under our belt, have survived a chronic, progressive, and fatal disease. Statistically, we know how few alcoholics survive this beast of addiction. So, yeah. There are some informal sanctions you might endure if you make waves, but in the big picture, it’s harmless. Is it appropriate? Probably not. Is it helpful? Highly unlikely. Is it a punishment or reprimand from the organization of AA as a whole? I really don’t think so. Right or wrong?

8.     Is there a classist or hierarchal structure?

So I feel like this one is pretty straightforward to anyone who has ever been in or around AA. The only “classifications” that are present in the room are more symbolic than anything. There’s the newcomer, which is just someone who is new to meetings or hasn’t been sober for very long. There’s the old-timer, which is just someone who has been sober for 15+ years. Then, there is everyone who is in between.

Neither classification receives anything special, no special treatment, no monetary or status gain among other group members, it’s just a symbolic name, is all. There are also what we refer to as “sponsors;” all that means is that you’re sober and showing someone who is trying to get sober how you did it. Anyone who has been sober and/or worked the steps can be a sponsor. It’s just two drunks talking about getting sober. Right or wrong?

9.     Is there a process of indoctrination into the group?

Absolutely! Hear me out, though, and let’s just consider a few things for a minute here. Think about it. The message of Alcoholics Anonymous is that recovery is possible, and that anyone can recover. The idea is that if a person is open, honest, and willing enough, they can recover from a hopeless state of mind and body.

While the program of Alcoholics Anonymous does have “offical literature”, it all speaks to the same overarching aim that. That aim being that: recovery from alcoholism is real and within reach to anyone who wants it. If you believe that, you have been indoctrinated so to speak. Right or Wrong?

10.  Is there an inherent destructiveness or call for violence towards outsiders or former members?

This is the funniest one to me, which, to be honest, is why I saved it for last. Whether you want to believe that AA is a cult or not, I find it laughable that any member of AA would hold any ill-will towards outsiders or former members.

Our whole deportment speaks to saving ourselves. We do so, to be of service to our fellow humans, and the still sick and suffering alcoholics. The goal is never to ostracize, marginalize, or harm any alcoholic or non-alcoholic regardless of whether or not they are in the program. Our only goal is to help when and if we’re asked to. Right or Wrong?

So… is it a cult or not?

Here’s the thing…it’s really up to your own interpretation isn’t it? For me, I say absolutely, without a doubt, no debate the program of Alcoholics Anonymous IS a cult! I really believe that, and have since very early on. Now, ask me if I am a member of Alcoholics Anonymous… the answer is very much the same.

See, where I think people get tripped up is in thinking, “ohh that’s just a cult,”. As if all cults are bad, evil, and up to no good. It’s true that throughout history, cults have gotten a pretty bad wrap. Cult members go around killing folks, stealing children, and committing crimes. They scam people out of millions of dollars, and prey on the vulnerable; AA is not that kind of cult. In fact, if we asked Amanda Montell and Isabela Medina-Maté they’d classify it as a “live your life” cult.

With AA, you are free to come and go as you please. You decide how “deep” into the program you want to go. Conveninetly, you decide when and how to back out if that feels right for you. As our literature states, there are no dues to pay, no axes to grind, nor lectures to be endured.”

AA never claimed to have a monopoly on recovery. Most of us have nothing against someone who finds a different way to get sober. Those who are in AA are there because they want to be. If you have a desire to stop drinking and want to give it a shot, go ahead. If not, that’s okay too. It’s really that simple.

So yeah, if you ask me, A.A. is a cult. Maybe this explanation helps, maybe it hurts your feelings, and maybe it even confirms your suspicions. Regardless, what are you going to do about it? THAT is the part that matters. Like one of my good friends tells me, “awareness without action is BULL$H!T!”

As for me, well, I’m going to keep coming back, and probably stay sober because of it. Heck yeah, I’m in a cult! So what?

Thank you for reading! Please like, share, and comment below.