"Give yourself over day by day, thought by thought, moment by moment to this reliable and profound form of nurturance and healing." —Jon Kabat-Zinn, from the Preface

"The MBAR 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, founder and co-director of Breathworks and author of Mindfulness for Health

"Blending MBAR 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

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

This new edition includes a foreword by Jon Kabat-Zinn, advice on how to run an Eight Step Recovery meeting, and insight on how to teach a Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery (MBAR) program, including teacher's notes and handouts.

"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.

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.

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

Poet, author, and public speaker Valerie Mason-John (a.k.a. “Queenie”) highlights issues of the African Diaspora and the Black, female, Queer identity, and resists the currently existing overt and covert forms of colonialism through their fierce and brave writing. They are the author /editor of ten books. Their debut novel, Borrowed Body, won the 2006 Mind Book of the Year Award. They co-edited the award-winning anthology, The Great Black North: Contemporary African Canadian Poetry, and co-produced blackhalifax.com. Their most recent book is an edited collection: Afrikan Wisdom: New Voices Talk Black Liberation, Buddhism, and Beyond. Valerie lives in Vancouver. Find them online at valeriemason-john.com.

Valerie Mason-John's profile page

Paramabandhu Groves' profile page

Born in Budapest, Gabor Maté immigrated to Canada at the age of twelve. He spent some time working as a teacher before returning to university to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. He ran a popular family practice for many years, and spent twelve years working in Vancouver's downtown eastside, caring for patients suffering from mental illness, drug addiction, and HIV. In the 1990s, Dr. Maté was a regular medical columnist for the Vancouver Sun and the Globe and Mail. He is also the author of four works of non-fiction. His most recent book, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction, won a Hubert Evans Award in 2010. In addition to being a physician and bestselling author, Dr. Maté is a highly sought after public speaker. He has three grown children and currently resides in Vancouver, BC, with his wife. Please visit drgabormate.com.

Gabor Mate's profile page

"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!" Professor Chris Cook, Director of the Project for Spirituality, Theology & Health, Durham University, UK

"Blending Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery with Buddhist teachings and moving stories, the authors give us a wise and compassionate approach to recovery from addiction. 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

“'The Buddha was in recovery'. Taking this 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 compulsion. The Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery programme draws on a wide range of the Buddha’s practical, yet profound, teachings. The eight steps offer you the possibility to gain mastery over your mind and find freedom." Vidyamala Burch, author of Living Well with Pain and Illness

"Eight Step Recovery is a useful resource for Buddhists, addicts, and addiction experts alike.” Tricycle magazine, Summer 2014

"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!" Professor Chris Cook, Director of the Project for Spirituality, Theology & Health, Durham University, UK

"Blending Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery with Buddhist teachings and moving stories, the authors give us a wise and compassionate approach to recovery from addiction. 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

“'The Buddha was in recovery'. Taking this 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 compulsion. The Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery programme draws on a wide range of the Buddha’s practical, yet profound, teachings. The eight steps offer you the possibility to gain mastery over your mind and find freedom." Vidyamala Burch, author of Living Well with Pain and Illness

"Eight Step Recovery is a useful resource for Buddhists, addicts, and addiction experts alike.” Tricycle magazine, Summer 2014