Recovery Dharma

The basis of the program is the [https://recoverydharma.org/book Recovery Dharma book], which was written collectively by a group of anonymous volunteers and published in 2019.{{cite web |url=https://recoverydharma.org/book/ |title=Recovery Dharma book |website=Recovery Dharma Global}} 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.{{cite book |author=Anonymous |date=July 30, 2019 |title=Recovery Dharma |isbn= 978-1086040005}}

The Amazon version of the book has over 1700 ratings with an average of 4.8 stars out of 5.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VWG36YX/#customerReviews |title=Recovery Dharma: How to Use Buddhist Practices and Principles to Heal the Suffering of Addiction |author= |date=2023-02-28 |website=Amazon |access-date=2023-02-28}}

The program (described in the book as the "Practice"{{cite web |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JNTNKRva4YZ7EkzqMOe0C7ZJzeqc7Ic3/view |title=The Practice |website=Recovery Dharma Global}}) 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.

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."{{Cite web |url=https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/2019/10/08/recovery-capital-its-role-in-sustaining-recovery/ |title=Recovery Capital: Its Role in Sustaining Recovery |website= Faces & Voices of Recovery|date=8 October 2019 }} 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.{{cite journal |last1=Labelle |first1=Onawa |last2=Hastings |first2=Marissa |last3=Vest |first3=Noel |last4=Meeks |first4=Matthew |last5=Lucier |first5=Krista |date=7 January 2023 |title= The role of mindfulness, meditation, and peer support in recovery capital among Recovery Dharma members |journal=Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment |volume=145 |page=208939 |doi=10.1016/j.josat.2022.208939 |pmid=36880913 |pmc=9992926 |s2cid=255536562 }}

Following allegations against founder Noah Levine, the board of directors of the Refuge Recovery non-profit organization sought to distance themselves from him.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lionsroar.com/refuge-recovery-addresses-sexual-misconduct-allegations-against-founder-noah-levine/|title=Refuge Recovery addresses sexual misconduct allegations against founder Noah Levine|last=Atwood|first=Haleigh|date=2018-04-05|newspaper=Lions Roar|access-date=2019-01-21}} The board ultimately initiated a lawsuit for breach of fiduciary duty and infringement of the Refuge Recovery trademark{{cite web |url=https://tricycle.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/RR-Complaint.pdf |title=Refuge Recovery complaint against Levine et al. |access-date=2023-02-20}} and Levine, concurrently, sued for control of the trademark and copyright of the book Refuge Recovery.{{cite web |url= https://www.dropbox.com/s/00mljk0uxg9bvwd/amended%20counterclaims%20as%20filed.pdf?dl=0&fbclid=IwAR3OU-dnz81DQywD_6IAt_1VUxwl6QVf4ClxENrQRqPiQzeI6WD8Dte7e2Q |title=Noah Levine Amended Counterclaims |access-date=2023-02-20}} Both suits were settled by mutual agreement{{cite web |url=https://recoverydharma.org/joint-statement-july-2019/ |title=Joint Statement of the Board Of Directors of Refuge Recovery and Noah Levine et al. |website=Recovery Dharma Global|date=6 July 2019 }} 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.

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• {{official website|http://recoverydharma.org}}

Category:Buddhist organizations

Category:Non-profit organizations based in the United States

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