Support systems play a vital role in the process of doing the ninth step. Engagement in mutual-help groups like AA can provide crucial assistance, helping individuals stay grounded. Recovery support groups can offer significant help for those facing challenges in making amends. Additionally, individual therapy can aid in accepting responses from others. Fear of confronting past actions can lead to avoiding making amends altogether.

Commit to living a sober and honest life

It’s important to have a plan in place before we reach out. We can’t know for certain how another person will respond—or even how the interaction might affect us emotionally. So be https://guiadeconsultores.com/what-are-the-side-effects-of-detoxing-cmar/ sure to talk with your sponsor and/or support group about your plan in the event that you need support. Apologizing in this way may open the door to continued healing, growth, and restored relationships in recovery. It’s not one we use too frequently in our everyday language, but it still holds significant meaning.

How Taking Responsibility Improves Recovery

Making amends is not something that you have to rush or hurry to do. This is a challenging process and it’s OK to take your time. Family, friends, employers as well as the majority of people I simply came into contact with. I know, for myself, that if I do not make amends to this people and admit my wrongdoing, my world will become smaller and smaller as I make concerted efforts in order to avoid those people. His greatest endeavor has been establishing LAUNCH, a Los Angeles-based life skills intensive outpatient program Alcohol Use Disorder for young adults.

My Story Regarding Celebrate Recovery Lesson 16

Steps eight and nine in Alcoholics Anonymous teach us to face our past mistakes and fix them. An apology is saying “I’m sorry,” but making amends is taking action to right the wrong. Amends in AA involve directly addressing harm caused, asking what we can do to make it right, changing our behaviors, and restoring trust where possible, rather than just expressing regret. By acknowledging past actions, we gain strength to support our peers within the recovery community. The process of making direct or other forms of amends is an ongoing path towards self-improvement which necessitates both diligence and a dedicated pursuit of personal growth.

When direct amends are not safe, living amends can be a good option. Living amends mean making up for past wrongs through ongoing actions. This could be through volunteer work, honesty, or improving communities. These actions help with spiritual and emotional healing without the risks of direct confrontations, fitting into the broader scope of a healthy recovery. Words will only go so far and remember that not everyone is quick to forgive and move on.

Indirect Amends are ways to repair damage that cannot be physically undone. If you have committed a crime in the past or are in a situation where you cannot confront the people whom you have offended, there are ways to make amends, indirectly. If you physically assaulted someone or committed theft, a way to indirectly make amends would be to volunteer in a shelter or take part in a program that will directly benefit others who living amends need assistance. Sometimes, people who were involved in a drunken driving accident may take the step to become an organ donor. These are all selfless examples of how making indirect amends can help to heal a situation.

Working Through Recovery and Making Amends

• You will want to think about who was affected by your mistakes.
• This promise describes the relief of no longer being controlled by addiction, guilt, or fear.

For example, if we hurt people with our lying and we cannot make amends without further injuring them, we would make living amends by making a decision to behave and communicate with complete honesty. By confronting past mistakes, you begin to put the past behind and embrace a brighter, healthier future. One very effective way to make amends is to go to Treatment. Through guidance, education and therapy, FHE Health can help a person begin to rebuild their relationships with self and others.