Sign-In
Cart
Lies Your 12-Step Sponsor Told You: How 12-Step Programs Can Keep You Bound to the System
Paperback
Biographies GeneralHealth GeneralSelf-Help
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Aug 22 2026
Pages: 44
Weight: 0.16
Height: 0.11 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
12-Step programs have become so deeply embedded in our culture that they are practically synonymous with addiction recovery. Their language-powerlessness, surrender, Higher Powers, sponsorship, resentment, service, and working the program-is repeated in meetings, treatment centers, and recovery communities until it can begin to sound like established fact rather than a collection of claims that deserve to be questioned.
In Lies Your 12-Step Sponsor Told You, the author takes a critical look at ten of the most persistent lies passed from sponsor to sponsee in 12-Step programs. Drawing on scientific and medical research, 12-Step literature, and his own years of experience inside the system, he examines lies about addiction as a disease, powerlessness, surrender, God and the Higher Power, resentment and relapse, sponsorship, service, and the familiar insistence that the program works if you work it.
Why should recovery require accepting powerlessness? Why should an undemonstrated Higher Power be treated as necessary? Why should resentment be portrayed as a threat to sobriety? And if the program succeeds when you work it, but failure is blamed on the person for not working it correctly, how can the program itself ever be allowed to fail?
Lies Your 12-Step Sponsor Told You challenges readers to separate recovery from ideology, evidence from repetition, and personal responsibility from powerlessness. It is a confrontational examination of the lies that can become accepted as truth through repetition-and what becomes possible when you finally give yourself permission to question them.
Also from
Golden M. a. Ladac, Brian, II
Lies My 12-Step Sponsor Told Me: Reclaiming Agency and Evidence-Based Recovery Beyond the Twelve Steps
Golden M. a. Ladac, Brian, II
Paperback
Also in
Health General
The Tao of Immortality: The Four Healing Arts and the Nine Levels of Alchemy
Wei, William U.
Chia, Mantak
Paperback
Cosmic Health: Unlock Your Healing Magic with Astrology, Positive Psychology, and Integrative Wellness
Racioppi, Jennifer
Hardcover
The Adventurous Eaters Club: Mastering the Art of Family Mealtime
Collins, Misha
Collins, Vicki
Hardcover
The Healthy Deviant: A Rule Breaker's Guide to Being Healthy in an Unhealthy World
Gerasimo, Pilar
Paperback
Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health
Davis, William
Hardcover
Essential Oils for the Whole Body: The Dynamics of Topical Application and Absorption
Godfrey, Heather Dawn
Paperback
The Healing Power of the Mind: Practical Techniques for Health and Empowerment
Alexander, Rolf
Paperback
Being Well (Even When You're Sick): Mindfulness Practices for People with Cancer and Other Serious Illnesses
Rosenbaum, Elana
Paperback
The Blue Zone: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest
Buettner, Dan
Hardcover
Heal Your Cells: Reversing the Irreversible--A Proven Plan to Heal Faster, Reclaim Energy, and Unlock Longevity
Cole, Will
Axe, Josh
Hardcover
Body Electric: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being
Zomorodi, Manoush
Diaz, Keith
Hardcover
Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take Back Your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods
Doucleff, Michaeleen
Hardcover
All about Allergies: Everything You Need to Know about Asthma, Food Allergies, Hay Fever, and More
Rubin, Zachary, MD
Hardcover
Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use
Gladstar, Rosemary
Paperback
Brain Defenders: Harness the Power of Your Immune Cells to Protect Your Brain for Life
Perlmutter, David, M. D.
Hardcover
Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook That Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats
Fallon, Sally
Enig, Mary
Paperback
Fed Up: What Evolution Reveals about Food, Diet, Health, and Eating Well
Lieberman, Daniel E.
Hardcover
10-Minute Chair Yoga Exercises for Seniors: 40 Poses to Build Strength and Flexibility for Fall Prevention
Hattori, April
Paperback
Holy Health: Habits and Rhythms to Heal Your Body and Transform Your Life
Roethlingshoefer, Justin
Hardcover
You've Been Pooping All Wrong: How to Make Your Bowel Movements a Joy
Pasricha, Trisha, MD MPH
Hardcover
Weightless: A Doctor's Guide to Glp-1 Medications, Sustainable Weight Loss, and the Health You Deserve
Salas-Whalen, Rocio, MD
Hardcover
Enough: Your Health, Your Weight, and What It's Like to Be Free
Winfrey, Oprah
Jastreboff, Ania M.
Hardcover
The 30-Day Mediterranean Meal Plan and Cookbook: A Beginner's Guide to the World's Best Diet for Long-Term Health and Longevity
Zozos, Alexandria
Paperback
The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life
Fotuhi, Majid
Hardcover
The Girl's Guide to Guts: Everything Your Doc Didn't Tell You (But Your Bestie Would)
Melas, Chloe
Batalion, Judy
Hardcover
Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy, Happy Heart: Simple Steps to Achieving Long-Term Cardiovascular Health
Lerman, Amir
Lara-Breitinger, Kyla M.
Lopez-Jimenez, Francisco
Hardcover
The Ultimate Survival Medicine Guide: Emergency Preparedness for Any Disaster
Alton, Amy
Alton, Joseph
Paperback
The Thyroid Fix: The No-Nonsense Guide to Fix Fatigue, Fogginess, and Fat That Won't Budge
Hornaman, Amie
Hardcover
The Biblio Diet: Live Long, Master Metabolism, Reduce Pain, Fight Depression, and Conquer Cancer with Healing Secrets from the Bible
Axe, Josh
Rubin, Jordan
Hardcover
The Essential Home Apothecary Handbook: Herbal Remedies to Know, Grow, Make, and Use
Reppert-Brill, Susanna
Sams, Tina
Hardcover
The Stimulated Mind: Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia and Stay Sharp at Any Age
Wood, Tommy
Hardcover
The Hormone Loop: An Empowering Guide to Restoring Hormonal Harmony, from Puberty to Menopause
Goddard, Gillian
Hardcover
The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain
Ziv, Alon
Gordon, Alan
Paperback
Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye: A Do-It-Yourself Mouth Care System for Healthy, Clean Gums and Teeth
Phillips, Ellie
Paperback
Stay Off My Kitchen Table: A Heart Surgeon's 4-Week Elimination Diet for Gut Repair, Metabolic Health, and Longevity
Lisec, Joshua
Ovadia, Philip
Paperback
100 No-Equipment Workouts Vol. 1: Easy to Follow Home Workouts Suitable for all Fitness Levels
Rey, Neila
Paperback
Mayo Clinic Guide to Arthritis, Revised and Updated: Managing Joint Pain for an Active Life
Arment, Courtney A.
Hardcover
Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease--And How to Fight It
Bikman, Benjamin
Paperback
Independence for Life: The Complete Guide to Building Strength and Regaining Mobility Beyond 50
Harlow, Will
Paperback
Ibs: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Wentz, Izabella, Pharmd
Hardcover
Fast Like a Girl: A Woman's Guide to Using the Healing Power of Fasting to Burn Fat, Boost Energy, and Balance Hormones
Pelz, Mindy
Hardcover
How Not to Die: Revised and Updated: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease
Greger, Michael
Stone, Gene
Hardcover
Fit Baby, Smart Baby, Your Baby!: From Birth to Age Six
Doman, Glenn
Doman, Douglas
Hagy, Bruce
Paperback
The Blue Zones Evolution: 10 New Lessons for Living Your Longest Life in Full Health
Buettner, Dan
Hardcover
The Lithium Revolution: Optimizing Mood, Memory, and Lifelong Brain Health With Nutritional Lithium
Greenblatt, James
Paperback
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self
Easter, Michael
Hardcover
What to Eat Now: The Indispensable Guide to Good Food, How to Find It, and Why It Matters
Nestle, Marion
Hardcover
The Hard Truth: Everything Men Need to Know for Good Health, Great Sex, and Long Life
Malik, Rena, MD
Hardcover
The Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor's Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age
McGarey, Gladys
Hardcover
Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept: Protect children from unsafe touch by teaching them to always speak up
Sanders, Jayneen
Paperback
Feeding Littles Lunches: 75+ No-Stress Lunches Everyone Will Love: Meal Planning for Kids
McNamee, Megan, MPH Rdn
Delaware, Judy, Otr/L CLC
Paperback
The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss (Why Intermittent Fasting Is the Key to Controlling Your Weight)
Fung, Jason
Paperback
Who You're Becoming: The Slow and Courageous Work of Cultivating Character in a Narcissistic Age
Degroat, Chuck
Paperback
Histamine Haven: The Essential Guide and Cookbook to Histamine and Mast Cell Activation
Tracey Reed
Luka Symons
Paperback
Indoor Epidemic: 93% Inside Steals Sleep, Focus & Years-The 7% Outdoor Rx Restores Them
La Puma, John
Paperback
Long Life Yoga: Essential Practices for Longevity, Well-Being, and Joy at Any Age
Lee, Cyndi
Hardcover
Longevity...Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn't Be Complicated
Luks, Howard J.
Hardcover
Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, Revised and Updated: A Guide for People with Dementia and Those Who Care for Them
Lunde, Angela
Graff-Radford, Jonathan
Hardcover
Hidden Epidemic: Silent Oral Infections Cause Most Heart Attacks and Breast Cancers
Levy, Jd
Paperback
Aligned: The Data-Driven Guide to Performance, Recovery, and Human Potential
Holmes, Kristen, PhD
Hardcover
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure
Esselstyn, Caldwell B.
Paperback
Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health
Means, Casey
Means, Calley
Hardcover
The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity
Burke Harris, Nadine
Paperback
Move, Thrive, and Come Alive: Over 120 Science-Backed Strategies to Move More, Feel Better, and Live Fully
Gonzalez, Kyle
Paperback
Glucose Revolution: The Life-Changing Power of Balancing Your Blood Sugar
Inchauspe, Jessie
Hardcover
What Your Doctor Doesn't Know about Fibromyalgia: Why Doctors Can't or Won't Treat Chronic Pain
Rhoades, Patrick
Meilink, Linda
Paperback
The Whole Truth: The Hidden Agendas Behind Decades of Health Misinformation--And What to Do about It
Campbell, Nelson
Campbell, T. Colin
Hardcover
Heal Your Body: The Mental Causes for Physical Illness and the Metaphysical Way to Overcome Them
Hay, Louise
Paperback
10-Minute Strength Training Exercises for Seniors: Exercises and Routines to Build Muscle, Balance, and Stamina
Deboo, Ed, PT
Paperback
Push: Unlock the Science of Fitness Motivation to Embrace Health and Longevity
Metzl, Jordan D., MD
Metzl, Jordan D., MD
Paperback
Judas Dentistry: How Dentists Scorn Science, Break the Hippocratic Oath, and Wreck Their Patients' Minds and Bodies
Yoho, (Ret) Robert
Paperback
Super Gut: A Four-Week Plan to Reprogram Your Microbiome, Restore Health, and Lose Weight
Davis, William
Paperback
Repostería Canina Saludable: Pasteles de Cumpleaños, Galletas y Premios sin Gluten para Consentir a tu Perro
Mendoza, Valeria
Paperback
Bottle Service: Education and Encouragement for Guilt-Free and Successful Formula Feeding
Whitmore, Mallory
Paperback
The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness
Waldinger, Robert
Schulz, Marc
Paperback
Potty Training in 3 Days: The Step-By-Step Plan for a Clean Break from Dirty Diapers
Brucks, Brandi
Paperback
The Everything Easy Mind Diet Cookbook: 175 Delicious Recipes to Combat Dementia, Improve Cognitive Function, and Support Overall Health
Ellingsworth, Christy
Paperback
The Rife Method Manual: 1,000+ Essential Rife Frequencies from A to Z and How to Use Them Safely and Effectively
Harkness, Aaron
Paperback
The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer
Karp, Harvey
Paperback
Lessons from the Garden: African Spirituality, Health, and Holistic Practice
Welch Little, Lahronda
Paperback
Cocina Antiinflamatoria: Màs de 100 Recetas Para Sanar / Anti-Inflammatory Cooking: More Than 100 Recipes for Healing
Pã(c)Rez, Irelis
Paperback
Genderqueer Menopause: Navigating Menopause for Trans, Gender-Nonconforming, Genderfluid, and Other Queer-Bodied Folx
Firefox Allen, Lasara, MSW
Paperback
Intuitive Eating, 4th Edition: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach
Tribole, Evelyn
Resch, Elyse
Paperback
Indoor Epidemic: 93% Inside Steals Sleep, Focus & Years-The 7% Outdoor Rx Restores Them
La Puma, John
Hardcover
The Anti-Inflammatory Diet Slow Cooker Cookbook: Prep-And-Go Recipes for Long-Term Healing
Given, Madeline
Paperback
How to Be Bored: The Dutch Art of Living Well by Doing Absolutely Nothing
Willems, Maartje
Aalders, Lona
Hardcover
The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan: Help Prevent and Treat Osteoporosis and Arthritis
Nitzkorski, Sydney
Wittstein, Jocelyn
Paperback
But You Look Fine: Trapped in the Hell Between Sick and Well and How to Break Free
Kurtz, Amy
Hardcover
The Navy Seal's Survival Guide: The Ultimate Bug In Guide for Crisis Readiness & Self-Reliance
Welch, Alvin K.
Paperback
The Biblio Diet Study Guide: Live Long, Master Metabolism, Reduce Pain, Fight Depression, and Conquer Cancer with Healing Secrets from the Bible
Axe, Josh
Rubin, Jordan
Paperback
Longevity Nation: The People, Ideas, and Trends Changing the Second Half of Our Lives
Clinton, Michael
Hardcover
Enciende Tu Cerebro: La Clave Para La Felicidad, La Manera de Pensar Y La Salud
Leaf, Dra Caroline
Paperback
Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan
Yoda, Hiroko
Hardcover