Stoicism and AA Step 1: 5 Practical Exercises for Surrender

Surrender is not weakness; it is a strategic acceptance of reality. In Alcoholics Anonymous, Step 1 asks us to admit we are “powerless over alcohol.” In Stoicism, this is known as the Dichotomy of Control—the wisdom to identify what is not up to us.

When an alcoholic finally gets “sick and tired of being sick and tired,” they are standing at the gateway of this realization. It is the first step toward a new future. The AA “Big Book” (pp. 83-84) outlines specific rewards for this work, often called The Promises. While they may seem extravagant now, they are the practical result of trading illusion for reality.

The 12 Promises of Recovery

• Freedom & Happiness: We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.

• No Regrets: We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

• Serenity: We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.

• Usefulness: No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.

• Loss of Self-Pity: That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.

• Selflessness: We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.

• New Attitude: Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

• Security: Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.

• Intuition: We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.

• Higher Power: We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

The Big Book goes on to say “Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.”

The Stoic Translation of Step 1:

AA says: “We admitted we were powerless.”

Stoicism says: “We admitted this external thing (alcohol) is not ‘up to us’ (Dichotomy of Control).”

Is “Powerlessness” Stoic? (The Dichotomy of Control)

Step 1 reads: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.

The first step in a 12-step program is about acknowledging powerlessness over an addiction and recognizing that life has become unmanageable as a result. It is an admission that one cannot control one’s compulsive behavior or dependency on a substance.

Getting to the point of being willing to take this step is a different path for nearly every individual. “Hitting Bottom” is typically used to describe one’s readiness; however, many people hit multiple bottoms. I think of hitting bottom as the point in which the alcoholic has completely run out of excuses and rationalizations that we can drink like other people.

We are like tornadoes in our own lives and the lives of others when we are drinking. We may have lost jobs, friends, family, health, and all the other important things in our lives as a result of our drinking. These losses and the damage we have done create a powerful visual of powerlessness.

How to Practice “Active Surrender” (Amor Fati)

When we are ready to take Step 1, we move closer to applying this quote from Marcus Aurelius to ourselves: “The wise man accepts his pain, endures it but does not add to it.” By taking the first step, we stop adding to our pain and start a new way of living.

When we take Step 1, the concept of One Day At A Time becomes critical. This slogan encourages focusing on the present moment and staying sober one day at a time rather than becoming overwhelmed by the prospect of lifelong abstinence.

Taking Step 1 requires us to confront the reality of our situation, breaking through denial and self-deception. It sets the foundation for the rest of the program, as it opens the door to self-reflection, acceptance, and a willingness to seek support from others who have faced similar struggles.

How does Stoicism relate to 12-step programs?

There are parallels between the first step of a 12-step program and certain Stoic principles. Both emphasize acceptance of reality and acknowledging things beyond one’s control. As Epictetus states, “There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power or our will.”

In Stoicism, there’s a concept called the “dichotomy of control,” which aligns with the AA Serenity 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.”

Conclusion

In essence, both the first step and Stoicism offer powerful tools for navigating life’s challenges with greater acceptance and resilience. By acknowledging our limitations and focusing on what we can control, we can find freedom from the grip of addiction.

Just as Marcus Aurelius found strength in Stoic philosophy while ruling an empire, individuals in recovery can draw upon these ancient principles to face their own battles with courage and serenity.

That is Step 1. Step 2 is next. Head here to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Stoicism relate to AA Step 1? Stoicism and AA Step 1 share the core principle of acceptance. Step 1 requires admitting you are powerless over alcohol. Similarly, Stoicism (specifically the Dichotomy of Control) teaches that peace comes only when we accept what we cannot control.

Can a Stoic practice the 12 Steps? Yes. While the 12 Steps use spiritual language (“Higher Power”), Stoicism offers a practical framework for the same actions. A Stoic views the “Higher Power” as Logos (universal reason) or simply the reality of nature.

Is “hitting bottom” a Stoic concept? Stoics practice Amor Fati (Love of Fate), which transforms “hitting bottom” from a tragedy into a necessary turning point. Instead of resenting the rock bottom, a Stoic accepts it as the specific event required to break the ego and allow for a new life to begin.