Eight Step Recovery : Using the Buddha's Teachings to Overcome Addiction

[Marina9]

Some weeks ago I came across the work of one of the authors of this book, Valerie Mason-John, she gave a three day training for people who want to offer this program as a tool for recovery in addictive behaviors here in my city. When I started digging into her book I saw that Gabor Maté wrote the foreword, so it gave me a good feeling that it's a worthy book.

I assisted to the training and today was the last day of the course, it was like actually being in a gathering with addicts. It was not just plain theory and theory for hours, we had theory and also practice of the exercises. It was very tough and intense, for me, and for some people also that shared some of their addictive behaviors. It was truly such a lovely experience to get to know more people and acquire more knowledge in this field.

The book offers information about Matés work, Pema Chödrön and other authors that have focused on how to treat addiction away from medications, focusing on mindfulness.

Here's a little summary from amazon:

All of us can struggle with the tendency towards addiction, but for some it can destroy their lives. Whether you are struggling to stay off heroin or with an obsessive pattern of thinking that prevents you from leading a more fulfilling life, the same principles – the Eight Steps of this book – apply. These steps take you away from the trouble caused by addictive tendencies, helping you untangle these drives, to discover a richer way of living.

The Eight Steps are the following:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/addiction/have-you-heard-of-the-eight-step-recovery/

Step 1. Accepting that this human life will bring suffering.

We must learn to recognize and be with the pain through mindful awareness.

Step 2. Seeing how we create extra suffering in our lives.

Every time we move away from pain we create more suffering in our lives

Step 3. Recognizing impermanence shows us that our suffering can end.

Embrace the fact that there is an end to suffering, that everything in our lives is impermanent, including our addictions, compulsive and obsessive behaviors.

Step 4. Being willing to step onto the path of recovery, and discover freedom.

We need to be willing to step onto the path of recovery and connect to a vision that is greater than our addiction or compulsive behaviors.

Step 5. Transforming our speech, actions and livelihood.

We learn to transform our speech, actions, and livelihood. With an attitude of kindness, we review our past actions. We acknowledge them and their impact on us and others. We make amends, and plan to do something different.

Step 6. Placing positive values at the center of our lives.

We place positive values at the center of our lives, values that will support us in our recovery. We recognize that our addiction is a false refuge and cannot bring about true happiness and contentment.

Step 7. Making every effort to stay on the path of recovery.

We make every effort to stay on the path of recovery. We are likely to have to feel the unbearable pain of not turning to our addiction. We ride the harrowing waves of recovery with calm, and know that, every time we surf the pain of recovery, the waves will become calmer.

Step 8. Helping others to share the benefits I have gained.

We learn to help others from a place of kindness and share our recovery with others.

There are Eight-step meetings in the UK, Finland, Canada, Mexico and United States. In her own words, Vimalasara says, “Don’t let God, or Mindfulness or Buddhism get in the way of your recovery. People with addictions are very good at finding reasons why they shouldn’t clean up, or blaming people for their addiction, or staying in denial.”

Vimalasara admits the program is still small, but it is growing. She hopes that in time, the Eight-Step program will be as widely available and recognized as other recovery programs. Most recovery program for addictions have been founded by Americans, and this is a program that has been founded and designed by two British Buddhists.

The book is a great read, it offers lots of exercises, meditation practice and stories from people who've suffered from addiction, so it is a light read so to speak, and it guides you towards all the steps in order to do them urself properly.

Here is a little talk from her on the importance of community in recovery:

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She is now based in Vancouver, CA, and offers the program there, there's more information about it on her website: https://www.valeriemason-john.com/mindfulness-based-addiction-recovery/

 

[PhoenixToEmber]

Sounds like a fascinating read, thank you for sharing! One more for my massive, ever-expanding, seemingly-impossible-to-finish reading list, I suppose.

 

[Cosmos]

The description sounds promising and good. I'll have a look at it as well! Thank you.