Kirsten Johnson Podcast

Ep 212 The D*ath Threats From AA Members

Kirsten Johnson Podcast

Show Notes

Last week we explored some of the doomsday prophecies in AA's Big Book. This week we're diving deep into death threats that come from AA members directly. I do believe most of these people have good intentions and say that leaving will kill us because they actually believe it. The problem, of course, is that the fear AA instills in us isn't a fact. Leaving AA does not mean we are going to die, even if some do. Leaving AA and "graduating" recovery is something I believe should be celebrated. We finished our addiction recovery journey. This is great news. A huge victory in fact. Or some may decide to always have support. Also great. The point is that we have choice. Recovery is so individual.

Timestamps: 00:00 AA Member Death Threats Intro 04:01 AA Member Threatened I'd Die 07:14 The Actual Comment 08:30 1. Leaving is equivalent to drinking again 09:15 2. Leaving means death 11:11 3. There are only two outcomes: stay in AA or die 12:08 4. Your judgment can't be trusted 14:43 5. The AA member knows your future 15:32 6. Your fate is already determined 16:40 7. Fear is an appropriate tool of persuasion 20:03 8. Staying doesn't lead to funerals 24:13 9. Survivorship bias in the funerals 27:01 Believing The Threats Traps Us

🔥 Deprogram Course + leaving AA resources → here 🧠 Brain optimization tools → here ❤️‍🔥 If you’re ready to stop holding yourself back → here

Come vibe with me: Kirsten's Facebook Kirsten's Instagram Kirsten's TikTok

📱 My content creation setup (camera, mic, lighting, etc.) → here 💻 Tools + software I use to run my business and create online → here

⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m not a therapist, doctor, or licensed healthcare provider. Everything shared is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional care. 💖 Some links may be affiliate links. I only share what I genuinely use and love.

More from Kirsten Johnson Podcast

Oct 20, 2026

Did Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, consume alcohol after getting sober in 1934? According to his wife, Lois Wilson, yes—but there's a catch. In this episode, we examine the rumors about Bill's drinking, his requests for whiskey on his deathbed, and an incident involving alcohol documented in Lois Remembers. I also share my own experience with a “freelapse” and explore what these stories reveal about one of AA's core claims.

Oct 13, 2026

No more groupthink and being "powerless" over critical thinking... This episode is our reminder to not turn our thinking and judgement over to "authorities" outside ourselves. Critical thinking for the win.

Oct 6, 2026

I saw a comment in a Facebook deprogramming group that asked if that group was a cult. So I thought we'd dive on in and discuss it on the pod today...

Sep 29, 2026

Carrie is back! Between the two of us, we have 54 years of recovery—and a lot to say about AA old-timers. What even makes someone an old-timer, and why does time sober so often translate into authority? We talk about the hierarchy around sober time, “AA math,” sponsorship and service, the difference between longevity and expertise, predatory old-timers, and the recovery beliefs we once accepted and passed on ourselves. We also get into what happens when you stop treating sober time as a measure of wisdom, healing, or how much someone else should listen to you.

Sep 22, 2026

Today I join Victor from Quackaholics Anonymous for a wide-ranging conversation about Alcoholics Anonymous, indoctrination, and what happens when recovery becomes an identity. We talk about why people are drawn into AA, love bombing and belonging, shame and the “alcoholic” identity, neurodivergence and mental health being mislabeled as alcoholism, the religious and cult dynamics of the program, predatory behavior and accountability, amends, and the difficulty of questioning a system you were taught you needed to survive. We also explore what it means to deprogram, rebuild trust in your own experience, and speak openly about both the help—and the harm—people can experience in AA.

See all episodes →