“The only thing that had changed was the object of my worship—I went from worshiping alcohol to worshiping sobriety.”

Those are the words of Brett Smith.

For years, Brett struggled with alcoholism, eventually finding sobriety through the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. He did everything right. He worked the program. He sponsored other guys. He carried the message. He went to meetings religiously. He even became the self-described “poster boy” for AA and a disciple of the Big Book. From the outside, his life looked great.

But something didn’t sit right.

As Brett began to pursue Jesus more seriously, he couldn’t shake a growing tension between what he was reading in Scripture and what he was preaching in AA: the language, the framework, the idea of a “higher power”—while it all claimed to be faith-filled, it wasn't really pointing to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Eventually, he realized that despite being sober, he hadn’t actually been set free. Instead, he had just swapped addictions and started worshipping sobriety.

In this honest conversation, Brett brings a warning that many are hesitant to say out loud: “Sobriety is a good gift—but it’s a terrible savior.” And he unpacks how secular recovery programs—even though they may contain some faith elements and language—can lead people away from the true Gospel, giving them just enough to think they are fine while missing the mark where it matters most.

This episode isn’t an attack. Instead, it’s an invitation to more. To go beyond a program. To shoot for Jesus and get sobriety thrown in. To not miss the main thing for a good thing. To get the most flourishing and fulfilled life both now and in eternity. And it comes from someone who nearly missed out on those things because he had settled for sobriety.

Is there a place for AA? For 12 steps? For programs? What is Gospel-centered recovery? Should Christians avoid AA, or can it be helpful? What about Celebrate Recovery? Why is sobriety an insufficient goal? Brett answers those questions and more honestly and compassionately.

If you’ve ever felt like something was missing in your sobriety, if AA or the 12 steps haven't resonated, or if you’re curious about Gospel-centered recovery—this conversation is for you.

We explore:

— Brett’s journey from early drinking to full-blown alcoholism
— His experience with Alcoholics Anonymous and becoming the “poster boy” for the program
— Why sobriety alone didn’t resolve the deeper issues in his life
— The shift from worshiping alcohol to worshiping recovery itself
— His growing tension with the idea of a “higher power”
— A biblical look at the 12 steps and their theological framework
— Should Christians avoid AA?
— What about Celebrate Recovery?
— What Gospel-centered recovery actually looks like
— Why the ultimate goal is not sobriety but Jesus

Reach out to Brett: @basmith444
Get Gospel-centered addiction recovery resources and help: veritasrecovery.org
Follow me: @jonseidl
Order my new book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic

Support the Show: https://www.jonseidl.com/

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