Call it a religion, a philosophy, a way of life, or whatever, but it cannot be denied that its teachings translate very well insofar as knowing the origin of, and treating addiction. Has helped millions recover from alcoholism – to get sober and stay sober. Anyone with a desire to stop drinking is welcome, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, income, or profession. Refuge Recovery is a fresh approach combining modern treatment with principles practiced by Buddhists for thousands of years.
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Buddhist recovery manuals, a genre that has emerged in the last 30 years, aim to use Buddhist ideas and practices to address the challenges of addiction. These books draw on classical Buddhist thought and Twelve-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Both of these influences share the framework of a step-wise path of transformation from a state of maladaptive compulsion to a state of freedom. This article analyzes the paths laid out by these Buddhist recovery manuals and compares them to classical Buddhist and Twelve-Step paths.
How can Buddhism benefit those in recovery?
It is no coincidence that meditation is specifically referenced in the eleventh of AA’s Twelve Steps. Vipassana meditation has been used successfully for the treatment of addictive behavior among prison populations in a number of countries. Buddhist practice can also help us become more aware of the impact of our actions on others, and help cultivate a stronger ethical foundation.
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When Levine saw that few individuals were incorporating Buddhism with the 12-step teachings of Alcoholics Anonymous, he wrote the book “Refuge Recovery,” published in 2014. With sharing that reflects the boundless range of belief (and non-belief) among A.A. Members — including Buddhism, Islam, Native American faith traditions, and atheism and agnosticism — this pamphlet shows how Alcoholics Anonymous is a spiritual organization, rather than a religious one.
Are you presenting a different recovery path from AA or NA?
It’s the one word that can sum up the debilitating condition known as addiction. A.A.’s primary purpose is to help alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Describes the dangers of mixing trazodone and alcohol who A.A.s are and what they have learned about alcoholism. You can just sit and listen and learn more about recovery, or you can share about your situation.
About this article
In fact, one of my AA sponsees attends both AA and Refuge Recovery meetings. Because of AA’s Tradition 10 (AA has no opinion on outside issues), he doesn’t talk about Refuge Recovery in AA meetings. Hence, admitting you have a problem is a bold first step towards recovery. While the journey may be long and harsh, so long as you keep going and never give up, then you’re already halfway towards your goal. Once you totally free your body and mind from addiction forever, then you will definitely have attained your nirvana. For a person suffering from an addiction, the steps can serve as helpful tools in his treatment and rehabilitation.
We are trying to reach an international audience of those who are in recovery, those seeking help in overcoming addictive behaviors, and those who are trying to help those in recovery. We have academics and researchers among our founding members as well as practitioners and Dharma teachers. Recovery is a process of healing the underlying conditions that lead to addiction. It is establishing and maintaining the practice of abstaining from satisfying the cravings for the substances and behaviors that we have become addicted to. Recovery is also the ability to inhabit the conditions of the present reality, whether pleasant or unpleasant. My first teacher, John Tarrant Roshi, would often say that Zen does not require one to believe in anything.
The Buddhist Recovery Network is open to people of all backgrounds. You do not need to identify as a ‘Buddhist’ to become involved. We need to take a lesson from Shitou and Ma and realize that we practice in different recovery programs but we aren’t in competition with each other. We may have different techniques, but we have a common goal.
The Buddhist influenced school of Naikan in Japan for example has been successful in helping those in recovery through a structured approach to self-reflection. Buddhism can help to provide a social support network for those in recovery through involvement with community Buddhist Centers. Buddhist artwork and writings can also heighten appreciation of values such as tranquillity, clarity, purity and simplicity. The Buddha pointed to clinging (the foundation of addiction) as the cause of suffering. His Eightfold Path is designed to free us from clinging, so it is a perfect vehicle for addicts to recover. Sober for 32 years now, this has not been my experience.
Nobody is forced to share, donate money, or participate in prayers. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health drooling: causes and treatments counselor. NIAAA’s study also revealed that the highest success rate was for people who participated in formal treatment and AA.
I remember when we were talking about what may be the most important statement in the Big Book, that one can have a Higher Power of one’s very personal understanding, and he said, “Good Zen book! ” His statement surprised me, but over the years I have found it to be true. Attendees do not need to do anything at a meeting other than be respectful of others in attendance.
During mingling, people can get to know other members and exchange phone numbers with those who can provide support when it’s most needed. They can also ask questions that didn’t seem appropriate or didn’t arise during the meeting. The primary purpose of AA is to carry its message of hope to those struggling with alcohol abuse. People do not need to be over 21 to participate in AA groups.
I’m disappointed, however, to see few magazine articles and opinion pieces by Buddhists who have found long-term recovery in AA. It’s in forums such as magazines where one can carry on (anonymously of course) meaningful dialogues about Buddhism and AA. I yearn to learn more about practicing the Buddhist Way and the Twelve-Step Way together. At the urging of some friends, I walked into a Zen Buddhist meditation hall some 22 years ago and stayed.
- AA is at a disadvantage here—because of its Twelve Traditions, it can’t take out advertising.
- Dale Vernor is a writer and researcher in the fields of mental health and substance abuse.
- Frank always lived in sober-living houses, in a small room of his own with a door.
- His Eightfold Path is designed to free us from clinging, so it is a perfect vehicle for addicts to recover.
That’s because you’re at a Buddhist Recovery meeting, and specifically a “Refuge Recovery” meeting. We seek to respond to a natural curiosity from those does drinking alcohol cause cancer in recovery who intuitively see potential for Buddhism to enhance their recovery. We are not missionaries seeking to promote Buddhism as a religion.
Each AA program has guidelines for who counts as a member, and meetings are usually closed unless otherwise stated. Only people who have a drinking problem are eligible to join AA. The only qualification for membership is the desire to stop drinking. According to Buddhist lore, the Buddha often emphasized that the end of suffering begins when one admits his imperfections and takes the necessary steps to rectify them. Through Steps 1 and 2, the person can begin to fully understand the cause of his addiction and commit to healing himself. Put together, these steps help create a mentally strong, upright, and disciplined individual.
Dale Vernor is a writer and researcher in the fields of mental health and substance abuse. After a battle with addiction Dale was able to find sobriety and become the first in his family to earn a Bachelor’s degree. Dale enjoys writing about mental health and addiction so that more people can understand these highly stigmatized issues. When not working you can find Dale at your local basketball court.
