I made the mistake of reading a couple of recovery related articles on Medium and now the algorithm thinks I am into that. While I am into recovery, more than 20 years in, I am not into reading about all the revelations that are being discussed. Combined with abject reductionism (like yours), going to AA (or NA) meetings, by comparison, is almost a delight.

Almost. First things first (another cliche, but in this case accurate), what you are calling "gaslighting" is barely that, if at all. Those phrases you listed are all cliches or cliche-like. The first three are tongue-in-cheek and, while not particularly funny, to the old-timers who came up with them and perpetuated them, they must have been a fucking riot. I just roll my eyes. The fourth is a metaphor. I have never, ever heard the fifth in literally thousands of AA and NA meetings, however, I will address the cult-like atmosphere that perpetuates that notion. On the sixth we can agree (it is dumb, demeaning and counterproductive), but it's not gaslighting.

So, now that that's out of the way, there are, in fact, serious issues with AA, NA and, likely, other 12-step "fellowships" — in scare-quotes because they are not always very fellowshipy and because they can be, sometimes, scary. There are issues that spring from the literature of each, neither of which has been significantly updated in decades, but that pales in comparison to how that literature is interpreted by those who call themselves "members." And never mind the capital "G" god shit. You can have one of your own understanding, as long as you understand it their way.

That is why so many, myself included, see the cult-like parallels between them and real, actual cults. There are real and important differences, too, but the mind-washing attempts of some members is real, but it is not AA or NA that does or sanctions it, it is those members. And they don't give two shits about what you say here. You know what they do give a fuck about, what they do pay attention to? Me, when I call their BS out at meeting level in front of everyone. Me, when I call the bible-thumpers out for what they are. Me, when I tell the new people that there are many paths to recovery and that AA might not be the one for them.

I'm not sure what your angle is. This is not the first anti-AA article you've written (at least one or two others have crossed my path), and, despite the fact that you do toss them a bone once in a while, it is fair to say that you are an "AA-basher." That's fine. There is plenty to bash about AA - bash away. But gaslighting is something much different - and I bet you know that. This is not gaslighting. You are just writing to write something bad because you need to write something bad; it is clearly personal. It's that transparent.