Refuge Recovery: Meetings and Philosophy
Looking into a Growing Source of Secular Support for Recovery
One of the biggest things I struggled with during early addiction recovery was the big focus on God during Alcoholics Anonymous. I can respect that belief in a higher power offers some people strength. For me, coming from the lowest point in my life, I felt like God had forsaken me. Alcoholics Anonymous made me feel alienated instead of supported. Fortunately, I didn’t let this deter me and I found my path at Refuge Recovery.
Refuge Recovery works well for people of all religions, as well as those without any religion at all. It uses many of the same aspects of Alcoholics Anonymous without making religion a focal point of recovery.
Keep reading to learn more about refuge recovery and how you can be supported using this and other peer support tools, whether at our industry-leading programs at Icarus Behavioral Health or elsewhere.
What is Addiction Refuge Recovery?
According to its About page, Refuge Recovery is “a practice, a process, a set of tools, a treatment, and a path to healing addiction and the suffering caused by addiction. Written by Noah Levine, the Refuge Recovery book reviews his previous experience with addiction and how he overcame it as the main inspiration.
This treatment approach considers addiction as a repetitive craving that comes from wanting to experience pleasure or trying to relieve negative experiences (like mental illness, pain, or past trauma). By repetitively giving in to the uncontrollable thirst for alcohol, people cause their suffering.
The Refuge Recovery program empowers the individual and uses a systematic approach to overcoming harmful behaviors like alcoholism. Through compassion, hard work, and and practicing the teachings, you gain the knowledge on how to achieve freedom, happiness, peace, and well-being.
What Religion is Refuge Recovery for?
Refuge Recovery is based on Buddhist Principles, but it is spiritual and non-theistic. This means that belief in a god or gods is not a mandatory part of treatment and it works for people from all religious (or non-religious) backgrounds. It provides a much-needed opportunity to explore a different approach to addiction than is offered in Alcoholics Anonymous.
Refuge Recovery vs. Recovery Dharma
Refuge Recovery was founded by Noah Levine, while Recovery Dharma was founded by members of Refuge Recovery. However, Recovery Dharma teaches Buddhist practices and wisdom while Refuge Recovery uses a spiritual approach as its guiding philosophy.
Recovery Dharma has a peer-led meeting format, involving meditation and group discussion. Members of Recovery Dharma also go on teacher-led meditation retreats where they invite spiritual awakening and discover their Buddhist path.
Get Effective Detox and Rehab Options at Icarus – Call Now!
What to Expect in a Refuge Recovery Program
Refuge Recovery meetings often include meditation, teaching, and peer-led group discussion. Instructors read core teachings from the Refuge Recovery book and there may be instructor-led sessions of meditation, mindfulness, yoga, or other Buddhism practices. Refuge Recovery invites participants to explore suffering and adopt practices that give them hope for leading a happier life.
The Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths are different actions to use during the recovery process. They include:
- We take stock of all the suffering we have caused as addicts.
- We investigate the causes and conditions that lead to addiction and begin the process of letting go.
- We come to understand that recovery is possible and take refuge in the path that leads to the end of addiction.
- We engage in the process of the eightfold path that leads to recovery.
When these steps are sincerely practiced, the path to full recovery becomes much clearer. These truths are reflected on during meditative practices, where you can reflect on how your own efforts affect both suffering and healing. You alone have the power to take control and overcome addiction for good.
The Eightfold Path
A Refuge Recovery program also teaches the eightfold path. These “folds” should be experienced and practiced consistently:
- Effort & Energy
- Mindfulness meditation
- Concentration meditation
- Action & Engagement
- Communication & Community
- Intention
- Understanding
- Livelihood & Service
By maintaining these Buddhist-oriented folds, it’s possible to live a life without suffering and overcome active addiction. These are considered the “12 steps” of Refuge Recovery and reflect the principles of Buddhism.
Through moving with intention, you’ll gain clarity on your path in life. You choose what to give your effort and energy to while recovery. Through action and engagement, you remain in the present moment and can be mindful more easy. This stops you from dwelling on the suffering of the past.
Through understanding, you open yourself to teachings from leaders and wise friends. You invite a spiritual awakening that can help you identify and choose your life’s path, putting yourself in control of your happiness.
Livelihood, service, communication, and community all deal with going outside of yourself while recovering. These forms of service give you the opportunity to feel a part of something bigger than yourself and have a positive impact on the world.
Lastly, through meditation, you can experience living in the present moment. This awareness of yourself can help you handle any craving that may arise for alcohol. You’ll learn not to judge these cravings, but to acknowledge them without giving in.
Finding a Refuge Recovery Online Meeting
Refuge Recovery has weekly meetings on Wednesdays in Santa Fe, New Mexico at The Friendship Club, 1316 Apache Ave. This is about an hour’s drive for Albuquerque residents.
While not Refuge Recovery, there are also other in-person meetings dedicated to Buddhism and recovery. These meetings reflect similar teachings of Refuge Recovery, making it possible to find a supportive group of people when you need an in-person meeting:
- Albuquerque Buddhist Recovery Sangha – 2400 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM – Sunday @ 11 a.m.
- RD Albuquerque – Insight Meditation Center – 1111 Menual Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM – Wednesday @ 8 p.m.
Last, Refuge Recovery has several online meetings that follow the same format and structure. You can find online meetings here!
The Role of Meditation in Refuge Recovery
Meditation is a big part of Refuge Recovery and similar programs. The book recommends starting with short periods of meditation and gradually increasing them.
When you sit in the present moment, it’s possible to let go of the suffering of addiction. Instead of reflecting on the past and things outside your control that may cause you pain, you learn not to dwell on them.
Meditation can also be used as a time for self-reflection. You can reflect on what is taught during the meeting, making amends, and how to apply the principles taught in Refuge Recovery. When reflecting on your past, be sure to show compassion to yourself.
Remember that you do not live there any longer and the only way to truly heal is to let go of the damage that was done. When necessary, make amends to the people you have harmed so that you can truly move on in life.
Up To 100% of Rehab Costs Covered By Insurance – Call Now!
Find Support with Refuge Recovery and at Icarus New Mexico
It does not matter if you choose Alcoholics Anonymous, Recovery Dharma, Refuge Recovery, or another program. What matters is choosing a program that best supports your recovery journey.
At Icarus, we understand that not every client shares the same belief system. Our accredited, individualized treatment programs leave us room to respect your unique journey.
Call us for more information and confidential support today.
