Author: Tony Harte

Welcome to Step 2 of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.).  In  Step 1, we admitted our powerlessness over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable. The focus of Step 1 was to be honest with ourselves and surrender. Step 2 reads, “We came to be aware that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” Working on this step offers us a path from hopelessness to hope. This involves removing our ego and believing that a power greater than ourselves will help us achieve and maintain sobriety. A paragraph in Chapter 5 of the A.A. Big Book describes our…

Eliot Taintor’s September Remember is a moving and often humorous exploration of alcoholism and recovery set in 1940s America. The novel was first published in 1945 and then republished in 2015. This long-lost novel provides insight into the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and the struggles faced by alcoholics of the time period. The story follows Avery Rickham, a man whose love for adventure and “the bottle” leads him down a destructive path. After a particularly devastating bender lands him in a police station, Avery is forced to take a hard look at his life. He reluctantly attends an…

Carl Erik Fisher’s The Urge: Our History of Addiction is a remarkable exploration of addiction, using his personal experience, historical insights, and a call for greater understanding. Fisher, both a psychiatrist specializing in addiction and someone in recovery himself, is well-positioned to publish a work of this nature. Retelling his addiction and recovery story makes this book informative and profoundly human. Fisher begins with his journey—a medical student grappling with substance use while working in a system ill-equipped to offer real support. From there, he takes us back in time, uncovering the roots of addiction in ancient cultures, religious practices,…

Discover how the timeless wisdom of Stoicism can enhance your journey through the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. This monthly series dives deep into each step, exploring practical tools for self-reflection, emotional resilience, and lasting recovery. By integrating Stoic principles like courage, discipline, and acceptance, you’ll gain fresh insights into the transformative power of AA while building a foundation for inner peace and personal growth. Whether you’re new to recovery or seeking to deepen your understanding, these articles offer a roadmap for a stronger, more meaningful sobriety. Don’t miss the opportunity to redefine your recovery journey—step by step, month by…

Attending meetings is crucial when practicing a 12-step program. These meetings provide support, guidance, and a sense of community. Whether you’re struggling with something recovery-related or dealing with another issue, meetings can be a lifeline. Practicing Stoic principles while engaging with others and participating in meetings can significantly enhance the value you get from 12-step meetings and, by extension, your sobriety. A core theme throughout stoicism is what they termed the “Dichotomy of Control.” It is the idea that we can only control our thoughts, actions, and attitudes, while external events and other people’s actions are beyond our control. This…