Eight Step Recovery

The Eight Step Recovery Program is a Buddhist-inspired approach to overcoming addiction, developed by Dr. Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John and Dr. Paramabandhu Groves. It blends Buddhist teachings, particularly the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, with practical recovery tools. Unlike traditional 12-step programs, it does not require belief in a higher power, but instead emphasizes mindfulness, meditation, and compassionate awareness as paths to freedom from addictive behaviors. 

www.valeriemason-john.com/eight-step-recovery  

All Substances and Behaviors   

Spiritual (Buddhist philosophy) 

Eight Step Recovery was created by Dr. Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John (a writer, Buddhist teacher, and mindfulness trainer) and Dr. Paramabandhu Groves (a psychiatrist specializing in addiction, and also a Buddhist practitioner). Both saw that many people struggling with addiction were interested in Buddhist practices but didn’t always connect with the language or structure of 12-step programs. They developed the program to translate Buddhist wisdom into practical recovery tools—accessible to people regardless of religious background.

In 2013, Mason-John and Groves published the book Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction. The book outlined the eight steps, provided guided meditations, and suggested how individuals and groups could apply Buddhist principles to recovery. After its release, the book became a resource in Buddhist recovery circles and started to be adopted by meditation groups, recovery communities, and treatment centers worldwide.

The program inspired peer-led meetings, often held in Buddhist centers, community spaces, or online. These meetings usually involve mindfulness meditation, reading from the Eight Step Recovery text, and group sharing. Some meetings identify as part of Eight Step Recovery, while others use its practices in combination with other Buddhist-based recovery groups like Recovery Dharma or Refuge Recovery.

The program continues to be used internationally, both in formal group meetings and by individuals practicing with the book. Dr. Mason-John actively teaches and trains facilitators around the world, integrating trauma-informed practices, mindfulness, and compassion-based approaches into recovery work. Eight Step Recovery has become an important part of the Buddhist recovery movement, alongside Recovery Dharma, Refuge Recovery, and other mindfulness-based addiction support systems.

Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction by Dr. Valerie Mason-John and Dr. Paramabandhu Groves  

1. Accepting that human life is precious and unrepeatable, and that our actions have      consequences.
2. Seeing how craving creates suffering.
3. Acknowledging that we can make different choices.
4. Developing a mindfulness practice to help us notice and sit with cravings.
5. Living ethically by taking actions that support recovery and reduce harm.
6. Cultivating a community (sangha) of support and wise friendship.
7. Practicing forgiveness toward ourselves and others.
8. Committing to a path of compassion, service, and growth.

The program requires no belief in God and welcomes people from all spiritual, secular, and cultural backgrounds

The Eight Step recovery program can be practiced alongside other recovery approaches and programs, such as 12-step, therapy, and harm reduction.

In-person and online: https://www.valeriemason-john.com/eight-step-recovery/recovery-meetings-worldwide