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Reading Paths

The site has over fifty pages. These four paths give you a structured starting point depending on where you are right now. Click a path to open it.

Path 01
I want to stop drinking and don't know where to start
Practical first. Starts with self-assessment, moves through understanding the mechanism, then gives you tools for right now.
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01
Am I an Alcoholic?
The question itself, addressed honestly - without the all-or-nothing framing
02
Why Willpower Doesn't Work
The neurological mismatch - why trying harder isn't the answer
03
Cutting Down vs Quitting
How to know which approach is right for where you are
04
Tool How to Handle the Urge Right Now
A direct, practical framework for the moment of craving
05
The First Week Without Alcohol
What to expect - physically and psychologically - in the early days
06
Daily practice The Daily Practice
A Stoic structure for each day - quote, reflection, action, evening review
Start at the beginning of this path
Begin →
Path 02
I'm in a hard moment right now
Crisis-first. Immediate tools, then understanding, then longer-term stability. Start here if the craving is present.
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01
Tool The Urge Timer
A 10–20 minute countdown to hold the space while the craving passes
02
Tool The Insight Tool
Describe what's happening - get a Stoic framework for the specific trigger
03
Urge Surfing: the Stoic Method
The technique of watching a craving without following it
04
Relapse Prevention
Not just avoiding relapse - understanding what drives it
05
HALT - the Four Triggers
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired - the conditions that most consistently precede relapse
06
One Day at a Time
The Stoic case for the narrow frame - why it works and how to use it
Start with the timer - right now
Open Timer →
Path 03
I want to understand the philosophy first
For the analytically-minded reader who needs the framework before the tools make sense. Philosophy-led.
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01
Stoicism and Addiction
Why Stoic philosophy is a useful framework for alcohol recovery - the case for it
02
The Four Core Principles
The foundational Stoic ideas applied directly to recovery
03
The Dichotomy of Control
Epictetus's central idea - and why it changes everything about how you approach a craving
04
Epictetus on Addiction and Control
The ex-slave philosopher whose thinking maps most precisely onto recovery
05
Marcus Aurelius on Sobriety
The emperor's private writings - what they say about self-discipline and change
06
Negative Visualisation in Recovery
Premeditatio malorum - imagining difficulty in advance to reduce its power
07
Memento Mori and Sobriety
Why contemplating death is one of the most useful tools in recovery
Start with the foundational case
Begin →
Path 04
I'm a few weeks in and starting to struggle
For people who've made a start but are finding it harder than expected - identity, maintenance, and long-term stability.
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01
What Happens When You Quit Alcohol
The physical and psychological timeline - what you're actually going through right now
02
Building a Sober Identity
Why "I'm not drinking" is weaker than "I'm a person who doesn't drink"
03
Social Drinking and Pressure
How to navigate events, colleagues, and the question of why you're not drinking
04
Alcohol and Shame
The shame loop - and the Stoic alternative to shame as a recovery tool
05
Relapse Prevention
What to do before the hard moment arrives, not during it
06
Daily practice The Daily Practice
A consistent morning structure is one of the most underrated tools in recovery
07
The Evening Review
Marcus Aurelius reviewed his day every evening - why it works for recovery
Start with the timeline of what's happening
Begin →
The tools - available any time
Insight Tool
Describe what's happening right now. Receive a Stoic framework for the specific trigger and a concrete action.
Open →
Urge Timer
A 10, 15, or 20-minute countdown with Stoic prompts. Hold the space while the craving passes.
Open →
Daily Practice
A fresh Stoic quote, reflection, and action each day. Optional sober day counter and evening review.
Open →