For seven years, AA was my life. I achieved over five years of consecutive sobriety, ran meetings, and sponsored dozens of men. I am not here to bash the program; it provides a vital community for many. But the hard, statistical truth is that it fails the vast majority of people who walk through its doors.

Why? Because AA often treats addiction as a singular character flaw, while ignoring the arsenal of modern triggers systematically designed to break our willpower daily. The problem isn’t just inside us; it’s in the very structure of our lives.

True recovery—a “Grateful Truce”—begins when we name and disarm these real enemies.

(Trigger 1: The Morning Propaganda Gaslighting)
You wake up, grab your phone, and within seconds, you’re bombarded. Market crashes, new mandates, imminent war—it’s not news, it’s psychological warfare. This isn’t paranoia; it’s data.

The Science: A 2023 American Psychological Association report found that 72% of people experience cortisol spikes from consuming morning news. Cortisol is the primary stress hormone directly linked to anxiety and binge drinking. You are being chemically set up to fail before you’ve even had your coffee.

The AA Gap: The program says to “accept life on life’s terms.” But what if the “terms” are a curated feed of fear meant to make you feel powerless?

The Truce Tactic: Delete your news apps. Your day must start with truth, not lies. Replace that scroll with Scripture or silence. As it says in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Reclaim your mind before the world claims it.

(Trigger 2: The Commute – Road Rage to Liquid Rage)
Hell on wheels. Thirty minutes of bumper-to-bumper traffic, with NPR screaming about climate lockdowns, followed by an SUV nearly sideswiping you. By the time you park, you’re already fantasizing about happy hour.

The Science: A 2023 study in the Journal of Urban Health (citing NIH data) found that chronic commuters are 40% more likely to develop an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Your commute isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a direct risk factor.

The AA Gap: AA doesn’t have a step for dealing with soul-crushing infrastructure.

The Truce Tactic: Audio Detox. Replace the news and rage-filled talk radio with stand-up comedy or an audio Bible. Laughter and prayer are powerful neutralizers for rage. It’s about creating a sanctuary in your car, a buffer against the chaos.

(Trigger 3: Wage Slavery – The Office Space Nightmare)
Your manager, a walking LinkedIn motivational poster, demands a 10-slide deck by noon. HR ignores your harassment complaint. Your paycheck barely covers rent, and then Karen from Accounting passive-aggressively corrects your spreadsheet.

The Science: A 2024 Gallup State of the Global Workplace report found that a staggering 68% of workers drink to cope with job stress. The modern workplace is a breeding ground for addiction.

The AA Gap: Telling someone in this environment to simply “surrender” feels like being told to be a better doormat.

The Truce Tactic: The 5:00 PM Rule. No alcohol until you’ve done one thing that you genuinely value. Go to the gym, work on a painting, play with your kids. This isn’t about delaying a drink; it’s about reclaiming your agency and control. You are more than your job.

(Conclusion: Flip the Tables)
The hard truth is this: AA tells you to accept life on life’s terms, but what if life’s terms are rigged? Moderation and sustainable recovery begin when you stop fighting only yourself and start strategically disarming the systems arrayed against you.

Christ didn’t say, “Blessed are the doormats.” He flipped the tables in the temple. Your truce starts when you do the same.

It’s time to fight back against the 24/7 fear machine, the commutes designed to break you, and the jobs that strip you of dignity. Your peace is worth it.

—
Chris Mosser
Author of Grateful Truce and The AGI Dilemma