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Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha's Teachings to Overcome Addiction Paperback – March 18, 2014

4.6 out of 5 stars 289 ratings

Winner of the 2014 USA Best Book Award in the Self-Help: Motivational category and Winner of the 2015 International Book Award in the Self-Help: Motivational category

"This book provides a spiritual pathway to recovery for people from any faith tradition, as well as for those who are not religious, and for those who suffer from addiction as well as those who are simply aware of the suffering associated with the human condition. This is a book for everyone!"—Chris Cook, PhD, director of the Project for Spirituality, Theology & Health, Durham University, United Kingdom

"Blending Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery with traditional Buddhist teachings and personal stories, the authors give us a wise and compassionate approach to recovery from the range of addictions. This comprehensive approach will be a valuable tool for addicts and addiction professionals alike."—Kevin Griffin, author of One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps

All of us can struggle with the tendency towards addiction, but for some it can destroy their lives. In our recovery from addiction, the Buddha's teachings offer an understanding of how the mind works, tools for helping a mind vulnerable to addiction, and ways to overcome addictive behavior, cultivating a calm mind without resentments.

Valerie Mason-John is the author of seven books. She works as a consultant in Conflict Transformation. She was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 2005.

Paramabandhu Groves, MD, is a consultant psychiatrist for the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, specializing in addiction. He is ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order.

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From the Inside Flap

Winner of the 2014 USA Best Book Award in the Self-Help: Motivational category and Winner of the 2015 International Book Award in the Self-Help: Motivational category

‘Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction provides a spiritual pathway to recovery for people from any faith tradition, as well as for those who are not religious, and for those who suffer from addiction as well as those who are simply aware of the suffering associated with the human condition. This is a book for everyone!’ Professor Chris Cook, Director of the Project for Spirituality, Theology & Health, Durham University, UK

‘Blending Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery with traditional Buddhist teachings and moving personal stories, Valerie Mason-John and Dr Paramabandhu Groves give us a wise and compassionate approach to recovery from the range of addictions. This comprehensive approach to treatment will be a valuable tool for addicts and addiction professionals alike.’ Kevin Griffin, author of One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps

‘“The Buddha was in recovery”. Taking this bold statement as a starting point, this wonderful book shows how we are all addicted to aspects of life and can all benefit from training our minds and hearts to be free of the tyranny of compulsion. The MBAR (Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery) programme draws on a wide range of the Buddha’s practical, yet deeply profound, teachings. Over the eight steps you are given a priceless gift – the possibility to gain mastery over your mind and heart and find freedom.’ Vidyamala Burch, co-founder and director of Breathworks, author of Living Well with Pain and Illness and Mindfulness for Health

Human nature has an inbuilt tendency towards addiction. All of us can struggle with this tendency, but for some it can lead to the destruction of their lives, through obsessive and compulsive behaviour. We could say therefore that in some sense we are all in recovery.

It is no surprise that addiction is so widespread. We live in a world where many of us self-medicate in response to hardships, turning to food, drugs, alcohol, sex, relationships, work and so much more in an attempt to promote happiness.

Fortunately, recovery is widespread too. What can the Buddha’s teachings offer us in our recovery from addiction? They offer an understanding of how the mind works, tools for helping a mind that is vulnerable to addiction, and ways to overcome addictive and obsessive behaviour, cultivating a calm and clear mind without anger and resentments. The Buddha’s teachings offer us a path of recovery.

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 and more fulfilling way of living.
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Human nature has an inbuilt tendency towards addiction. All of us can struggle with this tendency, but for some it can lead to the destruction of their lives, through obsessive and compulsive behaviour. We could say therefore that in some sense we are all in recovery.

It is no surprise that addiction is so widespread. We live in a world where many of us self-medicate in response to hardships, turning to food, drugs, alcohol, sex, relationships, work and so much more in an attempt to promote happiness.

Fortunately, recovery is widespread too. What can the Buddha’s teachings offer us in our recovery from addiction? They offer an understanding of how the mind works, tools for helping a mind that is vulnerable to addiction, and ways to overcome addictive and obsessive behaviour, cultivating a calm and clear mind without anger and resentments. The Buddha’s teachings offer us a path of recovery.

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 and more fulfilling way of living.

From the Back Cover


Human nature has an inbuilt tendency towards addiction. All of us can struggle with this tendency, but for some it can lead to the destruction of their lives, through obsessive and compulsive behaviour. We could say therefore that in some sense we are all in recovery.

It is no surprise that addiction is so widespread. We live in a world where many of us self-medicate in response to hardships, turning to food, drugs, alcohol, sex, relationships, work and so much more in an attempt to promote happiness.

Fortunately, recovery is widespread too. What can the Buddha’s teachings offer us in our recovery from addiction? They offer an understanding of how the mind works, tools for helping a mind that is vulnerable to addiction, and ways to overcome addictive and obsessive behaviour, cultivating a calm and clear mind without anger and resentments. The Buddha’s teachings offer us a path of recovery.

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 and more fulfilling way of living.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Windhorse Publications
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 18, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1909314021
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1909314023
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 289 ratings

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4.6 out of 5 stars
289 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book excellent for recovery, appreciating how it applies Buddhist principles effectively. They describe it as insightful and life-changing, with well-written content that's simple to understand. The 8-step program receives positive feedback for its effectiveness, and one customer notes its suitability for group reading and discussion.

19 customers mention "Recovery"19 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's excellent application of Buddhist principles to recovery.

"Awsome and insightful. If you want to know more than the tyoical approach go to this deep meaningful book that will open another door to recovery." Read more

"...Perspective. This book comes from two minds that have a great perspective on recovery...." Read more

"This is an extraordinary book, you have to read it. Using mindfulness, in every daily activity and every action we make with our body..." Read more

"Interesting read, took a minute to get thru, started going off on tangents but at the end of every chapter is a synopsis." Read more

13 customers mention "Insight"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful, life-changing, and incredibly helpful, with one customer noting how it covers the basics in a compassionate manner.

"Awsome and insightful. If you want to know more than the tyoical approach go to this deep meaningful book that will open another door to recovery." Read more

"...we relate to it, those meetings have been some of the deepest and most profound that I've experienced in sobriety...." Read more

"...take any strong doctrinal stance on the form used and covers the basics in a compassionate and mindful manner...." Read more

"...create great community when working through it with a group, and saves lives! Finally, a recovery book not written by straight white men!" Read more

9 customers mention "Writing quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and simple to understand, with one customer noting how the authors effectively integrate 12-step concepts without using jargon.

"...I also appreciate the simplicity of the 8 steps, they are simple and down to earth, relative to other programs...." Read more

"This book is beautifully written , so insightful , so heartening , and so incredibly helpful ...." Read more

"...The book is well written and free of the jargon one so often finds in books written by spiritual teachers seeking to display their expertise on a..." Read more

"Learned a lot. Very well written." Read more

4 customers mention "Effectiveness"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's methodology effective, with one noting its simplicity and another describing it as a wonderful program to follow.

"...I also appreciate the simplicity of the 8 steps, they are simple and down to earth, relative to other programs...." Read more

"I have not quite finished reading it; however, what I have read is very helpful and validating." Read more

"Wonderful program to follow as a group" Read more

"Excellent book!!! beautifully written with a great methodology to begin and sustain the addiction recovery." Read more

3 customers mention "Audience size"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's accessibility, with one mentioning it works well for group reading and discussion.

"...This book is not only for people who has an addiction, it can be used for all people who wants a change in their lives...." Read more

"...Great for group reading and discussion. Includes references to 12-Step recovery." Read more

"Great for people also in AA and Refuge Recovery, or neither!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2019
    My experience with a Buddhist take on recovery began sometime last year but I have been sober and involved with 12 step programs for 20+ years. The journey starts w/Noah Levine's book at a Refuge Recovery meeting, which was a breath of fresh air at the time. I do appreciate the differences between 12 step programs and Refuge Recovery but the additional topics that are discussed in Buddhism (non-harming, accepting suffering, impermanence ) and the focus on meditation is a delight to bring into my life and recovery.

    When visiting Phoenix, I went to a Refuge Recovery meeting and they are using this book. So I bought a copy and brought it back to our groups (Rochester, NY) and shared it with them. Also, we've gone through Noah's book a few times, so one of the groups decided we should try the 8 Step Recovery. I must say that we are only beginning the 8 Step Recovery but there is a depth in the 8 Step that is not captured by Noah nor any of the 12 step literature that I've read. Our group meditates, reads 1-3 pages and then discusses how we relate to it, those meetings have been some of the deepest and most profound that I've experienced in sobriety. Sometimes I am a bit emotionally wiped out after them and often find myself contemplating what I've read and that which we discussed days later.

    I also appreciate the simplicity of the 8 steps, they are simple and down to earth, relative to other programs. Refuge's program has the 4 noble truths and 8 steps but they feel less natural than the 8 Steps. Any program hoping to achieve a change of thinking and behavior is wise to keep information approachable. Here they are:

    One: Accepting that this human life will bring suffering
    Two: Seeing how we create extra suffering in our lives
    Three: Embracing impermanence shows us that our suffering can end
    Four: Being willing to step onto the path of recovery – and discover freedom
    Five: Transforming our speech, actions and livelihood
    Six: Placing positive values at the center of our lives
    Seven: Making every effort to stay on the path of recovery
    Eight: Helping others by sharing the benefits we have gained

    I'll leave with this. I'll plan to update this review if the book takes a turn for the worse (it's possible as I can be quite finicky and am easily bored along with annoyed by needless complexity and/or pontificating, especially regarding recovery.

    Best to all who decide to take this book for a spin.
    54 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    As a Buddhist lay leader and as an attorney who has dealt with people who had substance abuse issues, I have been regularly approached by people looking for a path to recovery. Many of these folks have issues with the local AA programs they have encountered because despite the AA idea of a "higher power" not being a specific god, the fact is for many people the default setting in this country is one religion and one religion alone which we shall refer to as Brand X here. So they repeat prayers form Brand X and refer to Brand X constantly in meetings and in a way albeit often unintentionally, which is uncomfortable for those who have issues with a god as defined in Brand X.

    In Buddhism there is not need to refer to any gods and the actual definition of a god is quite different so these books allow people who have issues with Brand X to approach a 12 step type of program via this book or another, "Buddhism and the 12 steps", both of which I recommend to people and have used to work with people seeking to recover from addiction issues. But truthfully I find that many of insights offered in this book apply to all of us regardless of how our lives are going. The book is well written and free of the jargon one so often finds in books written by spiritual teachers seeking to display their expertise on a subject.

    Meditation can take many forms from the most commonly known of sitting meditation used by Zen and other sects to walking meditation of the Shodaigyo mediation of the Nichiren Buddhist sect which combines chanting and sitting together. This book does not take any strong doctrinal stance on the form used and covers the basics in a compassionate and mindful manner. I strongly recommend this book for its use by people either addressing their issues regardless what they are or to assist others in doing the same.
    29 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2018
    Buddhism is great, recovery is too. But whats even better? Perspective. This book comes from two minds that have a great perspective on recovery. It's not that "intense" "in your face" negative recovery philosophy found in both AA and Refuge Recovery. The tools in this book help the reader gain tools and perspective into our personal needs for recovery. The program outlined in this book is inclusive of people in all walks of recovery. Great for newbs and oldtimers. Start a meeting and post it on the Buddhist Recovery website. This book helps create great community when working through it with a group, and saves lives! Finally, a recovery book not written by straight white men!
    24 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2014
    This is an extraordinary book, you have to read it.

    Using mindfulness, in every daily activity and every action we make with our body
    teaches us and make us reflect about our personal thoughts, automatic reactions, habits, sensations and emotions.

    If we are aware of them, we can change them. With love, kindness and compassion.
    We don't judge our self, we just accepted as it is.
    We don't add suffering and pain to our addictions, or mental patterns.

    This book is not only for people who has an addiction, it can be used for all people who wants a change in their lives.
    every body can be bennefit from these teachings, and exercises.

    This book is a good friend, you can read it several times and find out each time some new teachings.

    you will love it. Give it a chance
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2014
    I have not quite finished reading it; however, what I have read is very helpful and validating.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024
    Learned a lot. Very well written.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2020
    Interesting read, took a minute to get thru, started going off on tangents but at the end of every chapter is a synopsis.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The 2nd half of this book was more insightful for my situation. Opens your mind to some different aspects of recovery and breaks down the Buddhist teachings to a beginner.
    Worth the read.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Sonia Zakaria
    5.0 out of 5 stars Addictions from a different perspective
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book was very interesting reading. It tackles addictions from a different and deeper perspective.

    Working with addicts one often feels frustrated and at crossroads, unsure how to help the addicted individual move forward. This book offers simple , yet profound ways of moving forward, in a language that is familiar to us all.

    It got me thinking about bad habits of mine that I never thought of as addictive before, but that certainly have addictive qualities, and that with simple mindfulness measures, could be overcome.

    I found the way the authors talked about "kindness" particularly moving.
    I am not a buddhist either, but would like to read some more about those values after reading the book.
  • jer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good alternative or supplement to Refuge Recovery
    Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I come to this book from a particular position: someone who read Refuge Recovery, a similar book using Buddhist principles to help people recover from addiction. I also participate in Refuge Recovery meetings both in person and online. So as a “true believer” in that program, reading a book like this makes me compare them in a lot of ways. Overall, I think I would still recommend Refuge Recovery as the first read to most people. It’s shorter, punchier, and fits my Buddhist preferences better (more on that below).

    That said, this book is a treasure, and I would recommend it to anyone in recovery who wants the support of Buddhist teachings. This book is full of inspiring and practical wisdom filtered down through the ages. The practices inside are priceless and very similar to the practices I’ve employed as a Buddhist to stay sober for over a year.

    What this book really access at, in my opinion, is speaking to a privileged and educated audience, and people who’s addictions are subtle and psychological. It tackles eating disorders, sexual addiction and similar problems with a lot more nuance and grace than Refuge Recovery. If your struggle is with these types of self-destructive behavior then this book is probably where you should start. In contrast, I feel Refuge Recovery, with its blunt efficiency, is easier to read and more straightforward, and would be more useful for someone in dire straights and in need of the hard truth as efficiently as possible. Almost every paragraph in Refige Recovery is quotable, but also a bit disjointed, whereas this book is a very smooth read, but with an impression of “filler” as a result. This question probably comes down to taste. For me, I think the style of Refuge Recovery was more likely to keep me reading and working on my recovery, but it’s impossible because I can’t go back in time and try this book instead.

    The other aspect that’s very different between the two books is that Refuge Recovery is based on a “secular Buddhist” approach, taking teaching largely from “early Buddhism” and the Pali Cannon, the original teachings of Gautama Buddha. By contrast, this book is based on the Triratna Buddhist lineage (now known as “the Buddhist center” in the book) which is a Mahayana/Tibetan fusion version of Buddhism. The main outcome of this is the inclusion of chanting, prayer and bodhisattva (angel/saint) practices that are part of many Buddhist traditions around the world, but were developed hundreds of years after the Buddha’s death. For me, this is a turn off, and theses practices are less compatible with an atheist/secular/other-religion worldview than those found in Refuge Recovery (and the “insight meditation” tradition on which it is based). This isn’t a dealbreaker for me on the book, and I think anyone could make great use of the book and just ignore these teachings, but it’s a real difference that is worth being aware of.

    Again, overall I love this book and I’m so glad it exists as a support for those looking for recovery. Buddhism is an amazing source of insight into addiction and suffering and I hope this book can help you get and stay sober!

    May you be safe and well
    May you be free from suffering
    May you be happy and content
    May you live at ease
    One person found this helpful
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  • JR
    5.0 out of 5 stars Auch ein Weg
    Reviewed in Germany on November 10, 2015
    Sehr detailreich, in acht schritten, auf dem Weg zur Abstinenz. Mit vielen verschiedenen Berichten über betroffene und einem guten Übungsteil für Betroffene. Es eignet sich als Diskussionsgegenstand in jeder Gruppe die mit Süchten zu tun hat.
    Auf moralisieren wird verzichtet, viel mehr kann der Leser sich eingeladen fühlen zu einem Leben ohne die alles bestimmende Sucht.
    Freiheit ist möglich in jedem Augenblick!
    Report
  • Doris J. Acevedo
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book. Provides the tools for people struggling with ...
    Reviewed in Canada on July 3, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    An excellent book. Provides the tools for people struggling with addictions but the skills are useful for anything in life. All the things human beings face could be helped by reading this book. These tools help calm the mind and focus on things that may be more fulfilling.
  • Deano 143
    5.0 out of 5 stars But this book if you've ever suffered
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book is amazing I love it. I've been through a 12 step program which I still do, it didn't contradict anything I've done there but did give me a refreshingly new perspective on addiction and the solution(s) to it. It cuts through a lot of the wishy washy nonsense that you often get on this subject and gives clear cut instruction on how to lessen the suffering which we afflict upon our selves, which is most of it even to the extent of having a 'tools' section at the back. Very helpful to anyone suffering from addiction in any form!!
    One person found this helpful
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