Of the small percentage of those with significant exposure to AA who manage to remain abstinent, the vast majority continue to participate fully in cult activities, particularly “carrying the message” as speakers and sponsors.

A typical AA speaker is very adept at using confession to convince others of their own powerlessness, insanity, defectiveness and need for AA. The speaker often has motivations other than a sincere desire to help. It is doubtful the speaker is aware of them, since such awarenesses are inconsistent with being “spiritually awake” and would call for using thought stopping techniques. I have never seen an AA member so transparent in this regard as a woman I'll call Debbie.

Debbie has almost 15 years of “sobriety.” She was a prostitute in her younger days and uses this to great advantage when speaking. “Do you know what I used to do? I used to sell my ass. Yes, that's what I used to do.” Her “humble confession,” which is typical of elders in all mind control cults, is something quite different. To quote Camus, “[I] ... practice the role of penitent to be able to end up as a judge ... the more I accuse myself, the more I have a right to judge you.”

Debbie is different from the ordinary elder only in occasionally saying “you” to the congregation instead of always using “we” or “alcoholics.” She tells them, “You may think you're the cream of the crop, but I'll tell you what you really are, you're the cream of the crap. You're sick. You're alcoholics.” She continues at great length, always ending her tirades against “alcoholics,” meaning all present, with a warm smile and “I love you all. Keep coming back.” The congregation always responds with warm