What is Recovery Dharma?

The short answer

Recovery Dharma is a free, peer-led recovery program that draws on Buddhist practices and principles to address addiction. Rather than relying on willpower or a higher power, it approaches recovery through mindfulness, meditation, and an understanding of how craving and suffering work — and how they can ease. It is non-theistic and inclusive, welcoming people of every faith and none.

A Buddhist-inspired approach

Recovery Dharma frames addiction through a Buddhist lens: as a deeply human form of craving and clinging that meditation and insight can help loosen. Members practice mindfulness to observe urges without being swept away by them, and lean on Buddhist concepts about the nature of suffering and the possibility of freedom from it. You do not have to be a Buddhist to take part — the practices are offered as tools, not as a religion you must adopt.

Peer-led and self-governing

The program is run by its members, not by professionals or a central authority. Local groups, called sanghas, organize their own meetings, and there is no hierarchy handing down doctrine. Community is central: members support one another and often meet with mentors who share the path, drawing strength from "wise friendship" alongside individual practice.

A free, openly licensed book

Recovery Dharma's core text was written collectively by volunteers in the community and released under a Creative Commons license. That means it is freely and legally available to download and read at no cost on the program's website, with a low-cost print edition also available for those who prefer it. The open license reflects the program's spirit of accessibility — the path should not be behind a paywall.

What a meeting feels like

A typical Recovery Dharma meeting usually includes a period of guided meditation, a reading or talk, and time for members to share their experience. The atmosphere is calm and reflective. You can attend and simply sit with the group — there is no pressure to speak, believe, or commit. Meetings are free, run in person and online, and welcome newcomers at any stage.

Where to start

Recovery Dharma's own website lists in-person and online meetings and offers its book as a free download. If a mindfulness-based, non-theistic path appeals to you, it is an accessible place to begin.