What is Refuge Recovery? A Complete Guide for Recovery Professionals

Refuge Recovery pioneered Buddhist-based addiction recovery, offering a meditation-centered alternative to traditional Twelve Step programs. While the organization itself experienced significant changes, its legacy continues through Recovery Dharma and its impact on expanding recovery options.

For recovery professionals, understanding Refuge Recovery's history and its evolution into Recovery Dharma helps contextualize this important stream of Buddhist-based recovery support.

What is Refuge Recovery?

Refuge Recovery was a Buddhist-inspired, abstinence-based approach to addiction recovery founded by Noah Levine in 2014. The program offered an alternative to traditional Twelve Step approaches, grounding recovery in Buddhist philosophy and meditation practice rather than the Twelve Steps and Higher Power concept.

The program was based on Levine's book "Refuge Recovery: A Buddhist Path to Recovering from Addiction," which adapted the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path for addiction recovery.

The Four Noble Truths of Refuge Recovery

1. Addiction creates suffering – Acknowledging that addiction causes suffering for the individual and those around them.

2. The cause of addiction is repetitive craving – Understanding that addiction stems from habitual patterns of craving pleasure and avoiding pain.

3. Recovery is possible – Affirming that freedom from addiction is achievable.

4. The path to recovery is available – The Eightfold Path provides practical steps toward recovery.

The Eightfold Path

Refuge Recovery adapted Buddhism's Eightfold Path for addiction recovery:

• Right Understanding – Understanding the nature of addiction and recovery
• Right Intention – Committing to recovery and ethical behavior
• Right Speech – Speaking truthfully and kindly
• Right Action – Acting ethically and avoiding harm
• Right Livelihood – Engaging in work that supports recovery
• Right Effort – Applying balanced effort to recovery practices
• Right Mindfulness – Maintaining awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions
• Right Concentration – Developing focus through meditation

The Evolution to Recovery Dharma

In 2019, following allegations of misconduct by founder Noah Levine, most Refuge Recovery groups transitioned to a new organization: Recovery Dharma. This transition involved:

• Changing the organizational name and structure
• Removing Noah Levine from leadership
• Creating a peer-led, non-hierarchical organization
• Developing new literature independent of Levine's book
• Maintaining the core Buddhist-based approach

What This Means for Professionals

Recovery Dharma is the active organization – Most former Refuge Recovery groups now operate as Recovery Dharma sanghas.

The approach remains similar – Buddhist-based, meditation-centered recovery continues under the Recovery Dharma name.

Some Refuge Recovery groups still exist – A smaller number of groups continue under the Refuge Recovery name, separate from both Recovery Dharma and Noah Levine.

Terminology varies – Clients may refer to "Refuge Recovery," "Recovery Dharma," or use the terms interchangeably.

The Buddhist-Based Approach

Whether called Refuge Recovery or Recovery Dharma, this stream of Buddhist-based recovery shares common elements:

Core Practices

Meditation – Central to the program. Meetings include guided meditation, typically 15-30 minutes.

Mindfulness – Present-moment awareness as both a recovery tool and ongoing practice.

Inquiry – Self-examination similar to Twelve Step inventory work, but framed in Buddhist terms.

Community – "Sangha" (community) is one of the three refuges, emphasizing group support.

Key Differences from Twelve Step Programs

No Higher Power requirement – The program is explicitly compatible with atheism and agnosticism.

Meditation-centered – Actual meditation practice is integral to meetings, not just discussion.

Buddhist philosophy – Framework comes from Buddhism rather than the Twelve Steps.

No sponsorship structure – Uses mentorship rather than traditional sponsorship.

Self-empowerment – Emphasizes building capacity rather than acknowledging powerlessness.

Who Benefits from Buddhist-Based Recovery?

Secular and non-theistic clients – Those uncomfortable with Twelve Step "Higher Power" language find Buddhist-based programs accessible.

People drawn to meditation – Those interested in or already practicing meditation often connect with this approach.

People seeking alternatives – Those who haven't connected with AA/NA may find Buddhist-based programs offer what they need.

People interested in mindfulness – The mindfulness emphasis aligns with contemporary interest in mindfulness practices.

Those resonating with Buddhist philosophy – Even without religious commitment, Buddhist concepts appeal to many people.

Who Might Look Elsewhere?

People who thrive in Twelve Step programs – Those who connect deeply with AA/NA's specific approach may not need alternatives.

People uncomfortable with meditation – The meditation component is central; those who can't or won't meditate may struggle.

People wanting more structure – Some clients prefer the Twelve Steps' specific framework over the Eightfold Path adaptation.

People in areas without meetings – While growing, Buddhist-based recovery has fewer meetings than established programs.

Practical Information for Professionals

Finding Meetings

Recovery Dharma – The larger, more active organization. Meetings at recoverydharma.org.

Refuge Recovery – Some groups continue under this name. Check refugerecovery.org.

Both have significant online meeting options, helpful where local meetings are limited.

When to Suggest Buddhist-Based Recovery

Consider these programs when:

• Client is secular, atheist, or agnostic
• Client is interested in meditation or Buddhism
• Client hasn't connected with Twelve Step programs
• Client responds well to mindfulness approaches
• Client wants peer recovery support with a different framework

What to Tell Clients

• Meetings include meditation (typically 15-30 minutes)
• Buddhist philosophy is used but religious belief isn't required
• Most groups now operate as Recovery Dharma
• Some Refuge Recovery groups still exist separately
• Online meetings are available

Addressing the History

If clients ask about Refuge Recovery's history:

• Acknowledge the founder's departure due to misconduct allegations
• Explain that Recovery Dharma represents the community's continuation
• Note that the program itself—Buddhist-based, meditation-centered recovery—continues
• Let clients make their own decisions about engagement

Integration with Professional Treatment

Buddhist-based recovery programs complement professional treatment:

With mindfulness-based therapies – Aligns well with MBSR, MBCT, and DBT mindfulness components.

With MAT – Generally accepting of medication-assisted treatment.

With trauma treatment – Emphasis on compassion and present-moment awareness complements trauma work.

As ongoing support – Provides community and practice structure during and after professional treatment.

The Evidence Base

Research specifically on Refuge Recovery or Recovery Dharma is limited given their recent origin. However, the components are supported:

• Mindfulness-based interventions have evidence for addiction and mental health
• Meditation benefits stress, emotional regulation, and well-being
• Peer support improves addiction treatment outcomes
• Buddhist-derived practices increasingly appear in evidence-based treatments (ACT, DBT, MBCT)

The Landscape of Buddhist-Based Recovery

Buddhist-based recovery now includes:

• Recovery Dharma – The primary organization, evolved from Refuge Recovery
• Refuge Recovery – Continuing in some locations
• Buddhist recovery groups – Various local or online groups applying Buddhist principles to recovery
• Meditation-based programs – Other approaches incorporating meditation without explicit Buddhist framing

This diversity means clients have options within the Buddhist-based recovery space, not just between Buddhist-based and Twelve Step approaches.