The 13th Step

4.8 (801)
NEWS
COMPLETE SERIES

An investigation into the widespread culture of sexual misconduct and abuse persistent in the addiction treatment industry.

SEASON 1 TRAILER

Trailer: The 13th Step

The 13th Step is a podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio, coming June 6th.

5 min
06/06/2023

1: The Shadow

What is “the 13th step,” and why does it matter? It all starts with understanding what it’s like to be in the earliest days of recovery. We meet two women who say they were harassed during early recovery. And we meet the man who allegedly harassed them – the founder of New Hampshire’s largest addiction treatment network.

35 min
06/06/2023

2: The God of Recovery

As Eric Spofford tells it, he spent his teen years in the throes of addiction and crime. When he got sober, he became a crusader for recovery. We hear how he built his company – and his power. And we hear allegations that he abused that power by sexually assaulting members of his own staff.

50 min
06/06/2023

3: Just the Beginning

In March of 2022, Lauren publishes her first story detailing allegations against Eric Spofford. The events of the next several months illustrate the ways powerful, wealthy people can intimidate sources and try to stop journalism from happening. And then, there was the vandalism…

55 min
06/06/2023

4: A Wild (Wild?) West

How did 13th stepping become so common in the recovery world and who can hold people accountable? Lauren looks into the history of the addiction treatment industry; goes in search of the people, government agencies, and industry groups that are supposed to oversee it; and does a deep dive into its most pervasive cultural force: AA and the 12 steps. She finds a lot of good intentions, alongside a lot of problems.

52 min
06/06/2023

5: The Litter Police

What does it take to catch a predator in the addiction treatment industry? We hear about a case in California where the CEO of a network of treatment facilities was convicted of sexual assault and massive insurance fraud. It required years of work – and two women who banded together and refused to give up.

58 min
06/06/2023

6: The Glam Room

Since Lauren began reporting, Eric Spofford sold his New Hampshire company for millions of dollars and filed a defamation lawsuit in response to NHPR’s coverage. We catch you up on everything that’s happened. And we introduce you to a sober living community where addressing women’s sexual trauma is a priority.

35 min
06/06/2023

Epilogue: Employee A

A conversation with one of the women whose story of sexual assault you heard earlier in this podcast. She talks with Lauren about what it was like to hear her story published, the legal threats she has faced from Eric Spofford and his lawyers, and why she decided to speak out in the first place.

23 min

See All Season 1 (14)

TRAILER

Trailer: The 13th Step

The 13th Step is a podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio, coming June 6th.

S1

•

5 min

4.8

out of 5

801 Ratings

Great reporting on a frustrating situation.

Oct 24

Blujavelin

People in power taking advantage of people they think they can abuse need to be held to account and justice is needed. Money and threats cannot be used to escape and start a new scam in another location. This crosses the line between white collar crime and violent crime and should be prosecuted for punishment and retrieval of funds.
Amazing and true story- a MUST listen to podcast

Aug 17

Shar 2966

Great production and skillfully reported. A story everyone needs to know about. Such bravery to investigate. Congratulations on a job well done.
Spectacular

May 24

Jkhdsjnjncx

Amazing and brutal story. A gripping story and stellar display of true journalism. Bravo 👏🏼
Terrific listen!

Mar 5

TreeLV

I’m a pod junkie and this is a top tier listen to me. Checks all the boxes. Nice job everyone!