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Refuge Recovery is a peer-led, Buddhist-inspired community for substance and behavioral addictions. Their approach draws from Buddhist psychology and utilizes core practices such as mindfulness and meditation.
There are online meetings as well as local in-person gatherings.
Key Facts
- Refuge Recovery follows Buddhist psychology, such as the four truths of recovery and the eightfold path for recovery.
- This community focuses on mindfulness, meditation and ethical lifestyles.
- Gatherings are offered online and in person.
- Refuge Recovery differs from other 12-step programs because it is non-theistic in its approach.
Refuge Recovery Explained
Refuge Recovery is a peer-led, Buddhist-inspired, non-theistic approach to addiction recovery. In this guide, you will learn who would benefit from this approach, the Buddhist foundation of Refuge Recovery and what to expect in group gatherings.
What Is Refuge Recovery and Who Is It For?
Refuge Recovery is a peer-led, abstinence-based recovery community for substance and behavioral addictions. This includes addiction to alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis, gambling, sex, food, technology and others.
This community is built for people seeking a non-12-step, mindfulness-centered path to recovery. There is no need to identify as an addict or alcoholic or adopt any religious beliefs.
Refuge Recovery offers ongoing support and practice, but it is not a substitute for detox, medical care, crisis support or higher levels of addiction treatment when needed.
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The Buddhist Foundation of Refuge Recovery
Buddhist psychology is highly relevant to recovery, emphasizing the idea that suffering gives rise to cravings and attachment.
The Four Truths of Recovery
The Four Truths as taught in Refuge Recovery are:
- Addiction creates suffering.
- Craving drives the cycle.
- Recovery is possible.
- There’s a path to freedom.
Cravings often happen when you encounter certain real-world triggers. A craving could be due to you avoiding pain, chasing relief, habituated reactivity or a side effect of experiencing shame loops.
Refuge Recovery offers a compassionate, non-shaming approach that provides accountability without condemnation.
The Eightfold Path for Recovery
Another Buddhist foundation used in the program is the Eightfold Path.
These are principles to help you gain sobriety skills:
- Understanding/intention
- Communication
- Action
- Livelihood
- Effort
- Mindfulness
- Concentration (daily practice vs “one-and-done”).
The teachings emphasize an “ethics + meditation” combination, intending to reduce harm, stabilize life, and train your attention to meet urges skillfully.
These ethics play out in choosing the right speech in times of conflict, the right action within boundaries and the right effort through routines.
Core Practices in the Refuge Recovery Program
This program is not just about attending meetings; it’s also about the work that happens between sessions. Change occurs through the daily practice of the Eightfold principles.
Meditation, mindfulness, ethics and compassion practices
Meditation is the cornerstone of this recovery program. You will learn about breath/body awareness and concentration.
The community also emphasizes heart practices such as metta (loving-kindness), compassion, forgiveness and equanimity.
Mindfulness is another practice commonly used by those in the program that can help specifically with cravings.
You’ll learn how to notice urge sensations and utilize skills such as “urge surfing,” pausing before acting and self-compassion after slips.
Ethical living is also an important component of this program. The goals of do no harm, honesty and integrity are used as tools for relapse prevention.
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What to Expect at Refuge Recovery Meetings
If it is your first time attending a meeting, you can expect a structured, welcoming experience focused on present-moment practice.
Meeting Format and Group Guidelines
The typical flow of a meeting may look something like this:
- Opening
- Readings (preamble/process)
- Guided meditation (~20 minutes)
- Reading such as a dharma reflection
- Voluntary sharing
- Closing (with confidentiality reminders)
During sharing times, the group will follow norms such as:
- Speak from “I”
- No fixing or crosstalk
- Respect time limits
- Trauma-aware language
- Inclusivity
- Anonymity and confidentiality
At some meetings, they will ask for a dana (optional donations), make announcements or present dedication of merit/service opportunities.
Most groups have a facilitator or “secretary” role to manage each meeting.
Online Meetings and Finding Local Groups
Refuge Recovery offers both online meetings and in-person gatherings. The main difference is that online meetings provide more accessibility than in-person options.
Group norms and ground rules are applied online, with proper chat etiquette encouraged.
What’s the best place to start? Try a few meetings, both virtually and in-person, to determine which mode is best for you.
On your first visit, arrive early and introduce yourself to the meeting facilitator. Take from the meeting what works and leave what doesn’t and try to build consistency in attendance and practicing the Eightfold principles.
Refuge Recovery vs Other Recovery Paths
Refuge Recovery offers specific benefits and is often used in tandem with other approaches..
Compared to AA/12-Step
This program is different from AA and other 12-Step programs in its non-theistic approach.
Some other differences include:
- 12-step programs center on a “higher power”, while Refuge Recovery is meditation-centered
- Refuge Recovery uses the Four Truths and the Eightfold Path vs the 12 steps
- They both use different language around identity and power
Compared to Recovery Dharma
Refuge Recovery and Recovery Dharma both have Buddhist-inspired foundations and peer support. The differences between the two often come down to the local meeting culture, literature and your organizational preference.
Compared to Therapy
Therapeutic interventions can include specialized and more intensive support for those who have experienced trauma or have been diagnosed with a co-occurring mental health disorder.
Therapy may be combined with recovery medications when appropriate. Meetings support daily practice and community. Often, using these programs in tandem with one another is beneficial.
FAQs
No. It is non-theistic and focuses on practices such as mindfulness, ethics and compassion. You can use these tools regardless of your belief system.
Yes. The core guidance of the program is based on abstinence from intoxicants and addictive behaviors that you are working to change. Within this program, you define your own recovery boundaries with support from your peers.
Often, yes; the meetings can complement clinical care nicely. It is recommended that you seek coordinated support and follow medical guidance from professionals.
There are a few options. You can try online meetings. Consider starting a meeting with guidance from someone in the community. You can also sample closely related options such as Recovery Dharma or SMART while building daily practices to further your recovery.
Call A Treatment Provider
For a conversation about what treatment options are available to you.
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