In my addiction recovery journey, I have found pursuit of the stoic virtues the be an invaluable striving. As, I hope, you can see throughout my articles, I never suggest stoicism above the practices found in AA or other 12-Step programs.

After decades of practicing the 12-Steps, I have found it comforting to find another body of wisdom that I can study to solidify and further improve the quality of my sobriety. We confront many formidable challenges of overcoming substance abuse and behavioral addictions. Accordingly, a box full of “tools for a better life” have been important for me to draw upon.

On my journey, with a series of struggles and triumphs, pursuing stoic virtues has served as a shining beacon of hope and resilience. Through an exploration of Stoic principles, invaluable lessons for all can emerge, guiding individuals toward a life of sobriety and profound transformation.

Stoicism in Brief

Stoicism, a philosophy that originated in Athens around 300 B.C. with Zeno of Citium, advocates for a life in harmony with nature and guided by reason. Its core lies in the cultivation of virtues such as wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. Stoics assert that true happiness and fulfillment stem from aligning one’s actions with these virtues, rather than being swayed by external circumstances that are beyond our control.

As Marcus Aurelius, a renowned Stoic philosopher, once stated, “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” This quote is one of my favorites and encapsulates the Stoic belief in the power of the mind over external events.

Addiction in a Paragraph

Addiction often originates from a deep-seated feeling of disconnection, pain, or unmet needs, trapping individuals in a cycle of craving, compulsive behavior, and detrimental consequences. This cycle negatively impacts physical, mental, and emotional health. In addition to practicing a 12-Step program, stoicism offers a path toward liberation and self-control in the face of these overwhelming challenges.

Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher, aptly noted, “We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.” This perspective is particularly relevant in the context of addiction, where the response to external triggers is critical.

Let’s jump into understanding what the 4 stoics virtues are.

Wisdom and the Illusion of Control

Firstly, it’s important to understand what Stoics mean by wisdom. It’s not just about being smart or doing well in school. Stoic wisdom is about knowing what is right and what is wrong, understanding what is within our control and what isn’t, and making good decisions based on that knowledge.

Think of it like being a captain of a ship who knows how to navigate through stormy seas safely because they understand the sea, the weather, and their ship really well. By embracing this wisdom, individuals can concentrate their efforts on changing their thoughts, decisions, and reactions. Seneca, another Stoic thinker, remarked, “True happiness is… to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.”

Wisdom from the 12 Steps

In 12-Step programs, seeking this wisdom is succinctly summed up in The Serenity Prayer. The prayer, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference” not only asks for wisdom in our thinking but asks for the courage to act when necessary.

Additionally, we have our shared experience, as a fellowship, with over 89 years of wisdom at this writing. Not only is this available in many print forms, it can be sought out and experienced in over 69,000 AA meetings (2020 estimate) in the US alone.

Stoic wisdom is all about understanding life and knowing what is in our control and what isn’t. The famous Stoic philosopher Epictetus once said, “Some things are in our control and others not.” This simple idea is at the heart of Stoic wisdom. It teaches us to focus on our own actions and thoughts, which we can control, and not worry too much about everything else.

How Can We Gain Wisdom?

Learning from Life: Stoic wisdom doesn’t just come from books. It comes from real life. Pay attention to your experiences and learn from them.

Asking Important Questions: Think about what really matters in life. Is it money, fame, or something else? Stoics believe that virtue, including wisdom, is the most important thing.

Reading and Reflecting: Reading about Stoicism and thinking deeply about its teachings can help. Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher, wrote, “Our life is what our thoughts make it.” Reflecting on this can open your mind to new ways of thinking.

Participating in 12-Step Programs: Here Zeno advises “The reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is so we might listen more and talk less.”The Benefits of Wisdom

Better Decision Making: With wisdom, you can make decisions based on what’s good for your character, not just what feels good at the moment.

Peace of Mind: Knowing what you can and can’t control leads to a calmer and more peaceful life.

Stronger Relationships: When you understand yourself and your reactions better, you can build stronger relationships with others.

Lastly, in the pursuit of the stoic virtues, wisdom can be one of the most powerful long-term tools in our kit. Remember, as the Stoic philosopher Seneca said, “True wisdom is to know what is best worth knowing, and to do what is best worth doing.” Let’s embrace this wisdom and make the most of our lives.

Courage in Facing Challenges

The journey of recovery demands immense courage, especially in confronting cravings, enduring discomfort, and navigating through the turbulent phases of withdrawal and relapse triggers. Stoicism teaches that true courage comes not from the absence of fear but from the ability to act virtuously despite fear. Bill W wrote extensively about courage and noted “Courage is the willingness to accept fear and act anyway.” Sound familiar to the Stoic approach.

Imagine facing your biggest fear or standing up for what’s right, even when it’s hard. That’s what courage is all about. In Stoic philosophy, courage isn’t just about being fearless. It’s about being brave and strong, especially in tough situations.

Stoics, who were thinkers from ancient times, saw courage as one of the key virtues in life. To illustrate, check out the article Cultivating Resilience for Successful Recovery – Rising Above to learn about courage practiced by Viktor Frankl and James Stockdale in horrifying circumstances.

As the famous Stoic philosopher Seneca said, “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” This means that sometimes, things seem tough only because we’re afraid to face them.

How Can We Practice Courage, Stoic-Style?

Facing Fears: It’s normal to be scared. But Stoic courage means facing those fears instead of running away.

Standing for Your Beliefs: It’s important to know what you believe in and stand up for those beliefs, even if others disagree.

Staying Calm in Tough Times: When things go wrong, keeping a calm and clear mind is a sign of true bravery.

Reaching out for Help: There is courage in seeking help when we need it. As Marcus Aurelius notes, “Like a soldier storming a wall, you have a mission to accomplish. And if you’ve been wounded and you need a comrade to pull you up? So what?”

Working Steps 4 and Step 5 Require Courage:Step Four: “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.”Step Five: “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”

The 12-Steps are the foundation and roadmap to a lasting sobriety. Many find Steps 4 and 5 extremely difficult. Firstly, rehashing all the bad things we have done to others and ourselves can be very emotional. Admitting to other humans, in particular, the exact nature of our wrongs can be especially hard as we face down our ego and prepare for whatever consequences of our admissions.

The Benefits of Practicing Stoic Courage

Overcoming Challenges: Courage helps you face life’s challenges head-on, instead of avoiding them.

Building Self-Respect: When you act bravely, you feel proud of yourself.

Inspiring Others: Your courage can inspire those around you to be brave too.

The 12-Steps are the foundation and roadmap to a lasting sobriety. Many find Steps 4 and 5 extremely difficult. Firstly, rehashing all the bad things we have done to others and ourselves can be very emotional. Admitting to other humans, in particular, the exact nature of our wrongs can be especially hard as we face down our ego and prepare for whatever consequences of our admissions.

In summary, courage is about being mentally strong, facing fears, and standing up for what you believe in. It’s not about never being afraid but about how you handle fear and tough situations. As Epictetus puts it, “He who fears death will never do anything worth of a man who is alive.” So, let’s find our inner strength and face life with a brave heart!

Justice and Inner Harmony

When we think of justice, we often think of laws and courts. But in Stoic philosophy, justice means something deeper. It’s about being fair and doing the right thing for everyone. The Stoics believed that justice was one of the most important virtues to live a good life.

Addiction often leads to an internal state of turmoil and self-destructive behaviors.Stoicism advocates for the pursuit of justice within oneself, seeking a harmonious balance of thoughts, actions, and values. Through self-awareness, self-compassion, and personal accountability, individuals start restoring integrity and wholeness within themselves.

Marcus Aurelius said, “What isn’t good for the swarm, isn’t good for the bee.” This means we should always think about what’s best for everyone, not just ourselves. Bill W commented on this as well, “Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.”

How Can We Practice Stoic Justice?

Being Fair to Others: Treat everyone with respect and fairness. Don’t favor some people over others.

Helping Those in Need: If you see someone who needs help, do what you can to assist them. This is being just and kind.

Standing Up for What’s Right: If something is wrong or unfair, don’t be afraid to speak up.Share our experiences: This goes along with helping others in need but holds a special place in 12-Step programs. This can happen face-to-face, in online interactions or at meetings.

Practice the 12th Step: Step 12 is “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

The Benefits of Practicing Stoic Justice

Better Relationships: When we’re fair and kind, we build stronger, more trusting relationships.

A Better Society: Justice helps create a society where people treat each other well and support one another.

Inner Peace: Knowing you’re doing the right thing brings peace of mind and a sense of fulfillment.

In summary, practicing the stoic virtue of justice is a way of living that not only helps those around us but also brings us inner peace and satisfaction. Remember, as Seneca, said, “True happiness is… to do the right thing for the right reason, and in the right way.” Let’s all strive to practice justice in our daily lives and make the world a better place for everyone.

Temperance and Balanced Living

Imagine walking on a tightrope, where you need to keep your balance perfectly. In a similar manner, stoicism teaches us about temperance, which means finding the right balance in life. It’s not about denying yourself all the fun stuff, but about not going overboard. Rather, stoicism teaches that true freedom is found in mastering one’s desires rather than being controlled by them. As Seneca states, “He who does not desire what is too much, has everything.”

This is especially true for those recovering from addictions. For most of us, our addiction was all consuming. We were either thinking about drinking, planning out the next drink, trying to figure out how to pay for it and actively practicing our addiction. This leaves a large time gap when we get sober that we must fill in order to stay in recovery.

Early on the AA recommendation of 90 meetings in 90 days, is meant to swing the pendulum in the opposite direction and make attending meetings a healthy substitute to fill in the gap. As we get some sobriety under our belt, this cadence of meetings is typically not sustainable for people in many circumstances. As we build our foundation, we need to find that balance so going to 12-Step meetings does not in itself become an addiction (although a much healthier one!)

In his writings and speeches, Bill W. underscored the need for balance in the life of a person in recovery. He suggested that while service to others is a key part of recovery, individuals must also pay attention to their physical, emotional, and spiritual health. This means engaging in self-care practices, setting appropriate boundaries, and seeking support when needed.

In recovery, the principle of temperance is vital, emphasizing moderation, self-control, and conscious consumption. Stoicism teaches that true freedom is found in mastering one’s desires rather than being controlled by them. Cultivating habits of moderation and seeking a balanced lifestyle, individuals regain power over their choices, setting the stage for enduring sobriety.

How Can We Practice Temperance, the Stoic Way?

Knowing Your Limits: It’s important to know how much is too much, whether it’s with food, work, or even fun.

Finding the Middle Ground: Try to find a healthy balance in your daily life. Not too lazy, but not overworking yourself either.

Making Wise Choices: Think about your choices and whether they’re good for you in the long run.

The Benefits of Practicing Temperance

Improved Health: When you don’t overdo things, like eating too much junk food or staying up too late, you feel better physically.

More Happiness: Temperance helps you appreciate what you have and find joy in simple things.

Better Decision Making: When you’re balanced, you make smarter decisions because you’re thinking clearly.

In summary, temperance, the Stoic virtue of balance and self-control, helps us lead a happier and healthier life. It’s about enjoying life’s pleasures without going overboard. As Marcus Aurelius said, “The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injustice.” In other words, don’t let your actions be controlled by extreme emotions or desires. Let’s try to walk the middle path and enjoy the balance in our lives!

Conclusion

In the labyrinth of addiction recovery, the pursuit of virtue emerges as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards strength, resilience, and transformation. Grounded in the timeless wisdom of Stoicism, individuals embark on a journey of self-discovery, reclaiming their autonomy and dignity in the face of adversity.

As one studies the Stoic virtues of wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance, we set foot no a path towards healing, wholeness, and the realization of our fullest potential. In embracing virtue, we uncover not only the ability to overcome addiction but also the profound beauty of living a life filled with purpose, integrity, and meaning.

Resources

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Stoic Ethics (virtues)

Donald Robertson – Modern Day Stoic