Recovery Dharma

Last updated

Recovery Dharma is a non-profit organization founded in 2019 with the mission of supporting peer-led groups using Buddhist practices and principles for recovery from addiction. [1] As of 2020, Recovery Dharma had an estimated 16,000 members, and was the most extensive Buddhist recovery peer-support program in the USA. [2] [3]

Contents

Book

The basis of the program is the Recovery Dharma book, which was written collectively by a group of anonymous volunteers and published in 2019. [4] The book was released under a Creative Commons license and distributed for free in various digital formats on the organization's web site, with a self-published, low-cost print version also available for purchase through Amazon. [5]

The Amazon version of the book has over 1700 ratings with an average of 4.8 stars out of 5. [6]

Program

The program (described in the book as the "Practice" [7] ) involves seven elements:

  1. Renunciation, abstaining from the problem substance or behavior;
  2. Meditation, developing a daily practice;
  3. Meetings, connecting with others and becoming part of a community;
  4. The Path, developing an understanding of the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path of Buddhism;
  5. Inquiry and Investigation, engaging in a structured process of self-reflection with others;
  6. Sangha, Wise Friends, Mentors, supporting others in the program; and
  7. Growth, continuing to reflect, study, and attend retreats to deepen one's understanding.

The program is used to address many different types of addiction, with just under half of participants reporting substance use as their primary issue, while others indicate concurrent issues as their primary concern. [3]

Effectiveness

In a 2023 study of 209 Recovery Dharma members, the organization's program was found to be effective in the development of recovery capital, which is defined as "internal and external assets to initiate and sustain recovery from severe alcohol or other drug problems." [8] The study indicated that peer support and frequency of meditative practice—as opposed to length of time spent in meditation—predicted greater recovery capital in program participants. [9]

History

Following allegations against founder Noah Levine, the board of directors of the Refuge Recovery non-profit organization sought to distance themselves from him. [10] The board ultimately initiated a lawsuit for breach of fiduciary duty and infringement of the Refuge Recovery trademark [11] and Levine, concurrently, sued for control of the trademark and copyright of the book Refuge Recovery. [12] Both suits were settled by mutual agreement [13] resulting in the establishment of two new non-profits: Refuge Recovery World Services, including Levine; and Recovery Dharma including members of the former Refuge Recovery board.

Related Research Articles

<i>Tricycle: The Buddhist Review</i> American Buddhist quarterly magazine

Tricycle: The Buddhist Review is an independent, nonsectarian Buddhist quarterly that publishes Buddhist teachings, practices, and critique. Based in New York City, the magazine has been recognized for its willingness to challenge established ideas within Buddhist communities and beyond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition</span> Organization based in Portland, Oregon

The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) was founded in 1975 by Gelugpa Lamas Thubten Yeshe and Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, who began teaching Tibetan Buddhism to Western students in Nepal. The FPMT has grown to encompass over 138 dharma centers, projects, and services in 34 countries. Lama Yeshe led the organization until his death in 1984, followed by Lama Zopa until his death in 2023. The FPMT is now without a spiritual director; meetings on the organization's structure and future are planned.

Nalandabodhi is an international Buddhist organization founded in the United States by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche in 1997 and is named after the historic Nalanda university of India. "Nalanda" translates literally as "the place that confers the lotus ," and Bodhi translates as "enlightenment." Their international headquarters is Nalanda West in Seattle, with centers and study groups in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and throughout Europe and Asia.

Peer support occurs when people provide knowledge, experience, emotional, social or practical help to each other. It commonly refers to an initiative consisting of trained supporters, and can take a number of forms such as peer mentoring, reflective listening, or counseling. Peer support is also used to refer to initiatives where colleagues, members of self-help organizations and others meet, in person or online, as equals to give each other connection and support on a reciprocal basis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dharma Drum Mountain</span> Buddhist foundation founded by late Chan master Sheng-yen

Dharma Drum Mountain is an international Buddhist spiritual, cultural, and educational foundation founded by late Chan master Sheng-yen. The center focuses on educating the public in Buddhism with the goal of improving the world and establishing a "Pure Land on Earth" through Buddhist education. The international headquarters of this organization is located at Jinshan District, New Taipei City, Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insight Meditation Society</span>

The Insight Meditation Society (IMS) is a non-profit organization for study of Buddhism located in Barre, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1975, by Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, and Joseph Goldstein and is rooted in the Theravada tradition. Its first retreat center in an old mansion in Barre, Massachusetts was opened on February 14, 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noah Levine</span> American Buddhist teacher and writer

Noah Levine is an American Buddhist teacher and author, son of Stephen Levine. As a counselor known for his philosophical alignment with Buddhism and punk ideology, he identifies his Buddhist beliefs and practices with both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. He has written several books on Buddhism and Buddhist practice including Refuge Recovery: A Buddhist Path to Recovering from Addiction.

A peer support specialist is a person with "lived experience" who has been trained to support those who struggle with mental health, psychological trauma, or substance use. Their personal experience of these challenges provide peer support specialists with expertise that professional training cannot replicate.

Drug addiction recovery groups are voluntary associations of people who share a common desire to overcome their drug addiction. Different groups use different methods, ranging from completely secular to explicitly spiritual. Some programs may advocate a reduction in the use of drugs rather than outright abstention. One survey of members who found active involvement in any addiction recovery group correlates with higher chances of maintaining sobriety. Although there is not a difference in whether group or individual therapy is better for the patient, studies show that any therapy increases positive outcomes for patients with substance use disorder. The survey found group participation increased when the individual members' beliefs matched those of their primary support group. Analysis of the survey results found a significant positive correlation between the religiosity of members and their participation in twelve-step programs and to a lesser level in non-religious SMART Recovery groups, the correlation factor being three times smaller for SMART Recovery than for the twelve-step addiction recovery groups. Religiosity was inversely related to participation in Secular Organizations for Sobriety.

SMART Recovery is an international community of peer support groups that help people recover from addictive and problematic behaviors, using a self-empowering and evidence-informed program. SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. The SMART approach is secular and research-based. SMART has a global reach, with a presence established in more than 30 countries. SMART Recovery is effective with a range of addictive and problematic behaviors

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LifeRing Secular Recovery</span> Addiction and recovery organization

LifeRing Secular Recovery is a secular, non-profit organization providing peer-run addiction recovery groups. The organization provides support and assistance to people seeking to recover from alcohol and drug addiction, and also assists partners, family members and friends of addicts or alcoholics. It is an abstinence-based recovery program with three fundamental principles: sobriety, secularity and self-empowerment. The motto of LifeRing is "empower your sober self."

Prison contemplative programs are classes or practices that are offered at correctional institutions for inmates and prison staff. There are measured or anecdotally reported benefits from studies of these programs such a stress relief for inmates and staff. These programs are gaining in acceptance in North America and Europe but are not mainstream.

The Prison Mindfulness Institute is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 with the mission of supporting prisoners and prison volunteers in transformation through meditation and contemplative spirituality in prisons. The organization provides books and resources through its "Books Behind Bars" program, publishes books on prison dharma through their Prison Dharma Press, and offers a facilitator training for prison volunteers called "Path of Freedom." The organization supports prisoners in the study and practice of contemplative traditions and mindfulness awareness practices. It is an affiliate of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and the Zen Peacemakers.

Stephen Levine was an American poet, author and teacher best known for his work on death and dying. He is one of a generation of pioneering teachers who, along with Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg, have made the teachings of Theravada Buddhism more widely available to students in the West. Like the writings of his colleague and close friend, Ram Dass, Stephen's work is also flavoured by the devotional practices and teachings of the Hindu Guru Neem Karoli Baba. This aspect of his teaching may be considered one way in which his work differs from that of the more purely Buddhist oriented teachers named above. Allusions in his teachings to a creator, which he variously terms God, The Beloved, The One and 'Uugghh,' further distinguish his work from that of other contemporary Buddhist writers.

Recovery coaching is a form of strengths-based support for people with addictions or in recovery from alcohol, other drugs, codependency, or other addictive behaviors. There are multiple models, with some programs using self-identified peers who draw from their own lived experience with substance use and recovery and some utilizing people who have no lived experience but some training in support, depending on local standards and availability. They help clients find ways to stop addiction (abstinence) or reduce harm associated with addictive behaviors. These coaches can help a client find resources for harm reduction, detox, treatment, family support and education, local or online support groups; or help a client create a change plan to recover on their own.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Toneatto</span>

Tony Toneatto is the director of the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health undergraduate program at the University of Toronto. This program offers a number of courses exploring Buddhism, psychology, psychotherapy, mindfulness meditation, applied Buddhism, research methods in Buddhist research and cognitive science.

PARfessionals is a private research development firm for Peer Support and Recovery Providers in Addictions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dharma Bum Temple</span> Buddhist temple in the United States

Dharma Bum Temple is an American Buddhist temple in San Diego, California. The temple focuses on being an introductory center for beginners to learn Buddhism and aims to provide a space for Americans to practice Buddhism in the comfort of their own culture. It has its roots in Taiwanese Buddhism and the Fo Guang Shan order, but identifies with ecumenical Buddhism, or interdenominational Buddhism.

Frank Jude Boccio is a teacher and one of the originators of mindful yoga. He is known both for his teaching in centres across America, and for his 2004 book Mindfulness Yoga: The Awakened Union of Breath, Body and Mind, which describes a practice that combines yoga as exercise and Buddhist meditational practice.

Don Lawrence Coyhis is an alcohol and addiction recovery counselor known for designing treatment programs primarily for Native Americans. He is the founder and president of White Bison, Inc., a non-profit charitable organization devoted to assisting Native Americans who are affected by substance use disorders. In 1994 Coyhis started the Wellbriety Movement which aims to reduce substance abuse among Native Americans.

References

  1. ↑ "About". Recovery Dharma Global.
  2. ↑ Wang, Vanessa; Stone, Bryant M. (2022). "Buddhism in Addiction Recovery". Encyclopedia. 2: 530–537. doi: 10.3390/encyclopedia2010035 .
  3. 1 2 Labelle, Onawa; Meeks, Matthew; Vest, Noel; Hastings, Maurissa; Harding, Tayler (2022). "Recovery Dharma: Exploration of a Buddhist-based mutual help organization for the treatment of addiction". Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions. 22 (3): 175–187. doi:10.1080/1533256X.2021.1946331. S2CID   237804237.
  4. ↑ "Recovery Dharma book". Recovery Dharma Global.
  5. ↑ Anonymous (July 30, 2019). Recovery Dharma. ISBN   978-1086040005.
  6. ↑ "Recovery Dharma: How to Use Buddhist Practices and Principles to Heal the Suffering of Addiction". Amazon. 2023-02-28. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  7. ↑ "The Practice". Recovery Dharma Global.
  8. ↑ "Recovery Capital: Its Role in Sustaining Recovery". Faces & Voices of Recovery. 8 October 2019.
  9. ↑ Labelle, Onawa; Hastings, Marissa; Vest, Noel; Meeks, Matthew; Lucier, Krista (7 January 2023). "The role of mindfulness, meditation, and peer support in recovery capital among Recovery Dharma members". Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment. 145: 208939. doi:10.1016/j.josat.2022.208939. PMC   9992926 . PMID   36880913. S2CID   255536562.
  10. ↑ Atwood, Haleigh (2018-04-05). "Refuge Recovery addresses sexual misconduct allegations against founder Noah Levine". Lions Roar. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  11. ↑ "Refuge Recovery complaint against Levine et al" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  12. ↑ "Noah Levine Amended Counterclaims" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  13. ↑ "Joint Statement of the Board Of Directors of Refuge Recovery and Noah Levine et al". Recovery Dharma Global. 6 July 2019.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.