When he runs out of medicine because he didnât call the doctor for a refill, I trust he has the intelligence to solve his own problem. When he handles a situation at work âthe wrong wayâ I keep my opinion to myself. Turns out, I was a bossy control freak who was terrified of everything. When they didnât follow my advice, I let them know â repeatedly. When they had the marijuana addiction nerve to do things their own way, I reminded them that I had first suggested a better plan.
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- Step 9 also allows one to practice the processes of self-reflection, accountability and making amends, all key components the next step, Step 10.
- Like any amends, a living amends really is not for the people to whom we make the amends.
- Other individuals who have completed Step 9, such as your sponsor, may be able to help you choose a meaningful way to make indirect amends.
- Living Amends partners with sober living facilities to closely monitor each scholarship and intervene if obstacles arise to long-term sobriety.
- Making amends is part of the 12-step program in Alcoholics Anonymous, specifically in steps 8 and 9.
Though we would certainly suggest she read some of our other posts on seems like regret and self-forgiveness, we also deeply appreciate the option of a ‘living amends’. Step 9 also allows one to practice the processes of self-reflection, accountability and making amends, all key components the next step, Step 10. By proactively and âpromptlyâ admitting wrongs, those in recovery may be able to prevent future conflicts that could trigger a lapse in unhealthy behaviors or a return to use. While making amends can be healing, the outcome is not always predictable. Nonetheless, being accountable for your misdeeds is your goal.
Living Amends

To put it simply, making amends means acknowledging past wrongs and taking steps to repair the damage caused by those actions. If youâre at this step or planning to follow a 12-step treatment program, congratulationsâyouâre on the right path of your recovery journey! This article explains what you need to know about making amends, with examples to help guide you. We want to ensure that each person we work with is able to stay sober as long as possible. To learn whether youâre an ideal candidate for our scholarship, please apply using our application form or contact our team for further application questions. We work closely with sober livings homes that are high accountability homes.
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Celebrate that Americans of all races and backgrounds are living, working, and praying together in constructive harmony, thanks to the greatest living amends in world history. In making amends, guilt must be crossed quickly, because amends arise not from the self-consciousness of guilt, but from concern for another. Guilt is the embellished side of the coin of pride; it is a salve for pride and too sticky a substance for amends.
- The goal is always to repair without re-traumatizing or enabling further damage.
- It would be helpful if grieving parents had a support system like AA.
- To make amends, you must do more than just make apologies for your past behavior.
- Or perhaps you endangered someoneâs life because you drove under the influence at one point.
- Itâs possible to be too early in the healing journey to start making amends.
- A bigger part of it is demonstrating a commitment to making things right and restoring trust through actions.
Step 9 is about restoring peace through self-forgiveness, forgiving others, and making amends, which is essential to recovery. A 12-step program fosters long-term recovery through spirituality, growth, and accountability. Each step presents challenges that encourage change in mindset and behavior. Mutual Aid, peer led support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous guide members to work through these steps to maintain sobriety and help others. Undoubtedly, you, too, have a list of ways in which you want to live out your living amends, and thatâs great!

Call today to speak confidentially with a recovery expert or take our brief self-test.
This website does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. Suppose you knew the affected person personally, but they passed away before you could get to step nine of the program. Some recovering alcoholics would recommend making living amends as an alternative. Either way, you know youâve hurt a random stranger and would like to make amends now that youâre sober. But you donât know their name, and you have no idea where to start looking.
This may involve apologizing and, when necessary, making restitution to a person, or organization. Step 9, often seen as one of the most challenging, requires courage, humility, and guidance. More than an apology, itâs about making genuine amendsâtaking action to correct past mistakes without causing harm. Here, we explore Step 9, its goals, possible outcomes, and effective language for making amends.
However, this provides you with hope and inspiration to become and remain a better person in all future endeavors. The root of many fears and feelings boil down to guilt and shame. However, even if you feel extremely motivated to make direct amends, it is advisable to take your time with this step. Make sure that you are comfortable with your progress during recovery and that both you and the other person are ready to engage in the process. After years of being bossy and overbearing, my https://whitelinewireless.com/sobriety-how-to-start-and-maintain-a-sober/ basic apologies meant little. They donât always see my hands off approach as sincere kindness, but my motives are pure.
If they didnât pay attention, I do my best to let them suffer the consequence. If they take my words for granted, sometimes, I take a break from talking. They affirm your decision to make lifelong changes, which has a positive effect on both you and everyone around you. living amends If making an amends means exposing ourselves to triggering environments, we ought to reconsider and discuss healthy alternatives with a sponsor or addiction counselor.
Focus on your behavior.
In detail, write everything youâve done that caused them pain. Donât skip details; just because you want to forget doesnât mean those youâve hurt have. Acknowledge the full extent of the pain or damage you caused, whether it was emotional, financial, or physical.