“No man is free who is not master of himself” --Epictetus

Epictetus would know about the absence of freedom.  He was born into slavery and spent time in exile.  He was physically disabled and did not obtain his release from bondage until he was about 18 years old.  As a pre-eminent Stoic philosopher, Epictetus’ teachings center on directing one’s efforts to those things the individual can control.  This is predominantly one’s reactions to external situations and emotions.  The selected quotation is the complete embodiment of his philosophy about how to live a good life in a world largely out of our control and indifferent to our sufferings.

What can we, as alcoholics and addicts, take from this lesson?  Our continued sobriety hinges on our ability to maintain strict focus on controlling our impulses.  Stoic philosophy stresses the importance of lengthening the time of our reaction to stimulus.  To act without deliberation is dangerous for us.  We cannot allow ourselves to be too easily swayed by events and conditions outside our control.  Our focus, rather, must be to thinking through our reactions to these sometimes noxious stimuli.  

Most notably, Epictetus’ directive here can be applied to avoiding relapse into active addiction.  Addicts are well familiar with the notion of being slaves to their addiction.  Yet, many of us return to it willingly, knowing the despair and destruction it causes.  Why is that?  We know from our experience that alcohol is cunning, baffling, and powerful.  Our addiction to it defies logical explanation.  In a post-acute withdrawal stage, why do people slip and relapse?  It’s a question to consider in light of the above.  It ultimately comes down to the fact the individual surrendered his or her mastery of him or herself to addiction.  This can happen for any number of reasons, but I think the thing that is most important to remember is that a return to active addiction is a voluntary choice and that voluntary choice is one of a return to subservience to drugs/alcohol.  

The entire practice of Stoic philosophy is meant to prepare its students to obtain and maintain self-mastery, which leads to spiritual freedom.  Dear Reader, as you continue to read more about those teachings, I do hope you will find utility in them to gain better control of yourself to claim the freedom you so richly deserve.