In 2016 I posted a brief note about philosophy (stoicism in particular) and recovery with a link to an article from 99U.
At that time the “modern Stoic” movement was already well underway. The interest in the Stoic philosophers has continued to grow unabated. Books like The Daily Stoic, by Ryan Holiday, websites, conferences, annual Stoic challenges and much more continue to make their way to a more mainstream audience as a method of transformational living.
Recently Guy Du Plessis started publishing some essays on Medium. In the first article Guy explains, “my hypothesis is that “philosophy as a way of life” is a compelling, and legitimate recovery pathway for individuals in addiction recovery, as one of many pathways to recovery.”
In the second he points out “since the time of the ancient Greeks philosophy has transformed from a “mode of existing-in-the-world” into an abstract-theoretical activity.” He continues “recently philosophers like Pierre Hadot (1922–2010) has contributed to a resurgence of the ancient Greek understanding of philosophy as a way of life and transformational practice.” (my italics)
Guy introduces his concept of a “Needs Model of Addiction” in the third of the Medium articles suggesting that addiction should not be seen as a “disease” to be “treated,” (because seeking to have our basic needs met is not a disease) but rather understood as a misguided method of the normal human behaviour of trying to have our basic existential needs met
Jules Evans popular best seller Philosophy For Life also deserves a mention here as another attempt (succeeding in my mind) to remedy the issue raised in one of Guy’s points concerning ancient philosophy as a – “mode of existing-in-the-world” into an abstract-theoretical activity.” – and rather using the ideas to live by. Full disclosure in March 2020 I took a weekend course of Jules’s based on Philosophy For Life which supported my feeling that I had found much in both Stoicism and Buddhism, and in wider sources, (both Guy and Jules have a soft spot for Nietzsche and my own sources are far and wide and will be featured in more posts in future), that resonate with my understanding of the 12 step program The 12 steps are offered as a “set of spiritual principles” which can bring about a personal transformation, these older philosophies offer expound similar ideas offering the chance of an acceptance of life as it is not as we would prefer it to be.