Some people on this list may be harder to approach, so readiness is key. If willingness isn’t there yet, the program encourages asking a Higher Power for guidance until that willingness arises. One can start with those =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ amends that may be easier and work their way up to the more challenging ones. Working Step 9 is challenging and you’ll likely need support and assistance as you work through it.

Step 9: The Best 5 Tips for Living Amends

Making amends fosters clarity, self-forgiveness, and relief from guilt, which is healing. It also offers others a chance to gain resolution or a deeper understanding of your recovery journey. Repairing previous harm also assists in helping you rebuild important relationships which may have been impacted by addiction. In these cases, reflect on whether reaching out is to clear your own conscience at the other person’s expense. This is where a 12-Step “sponsor” or even a counselor’s feedback could be helpful in checking your motivation. Sometimes stepping back is the best way you can make amends.

Don’t settle for an apology.

By changing one’s behavior, they show others that they are doing what they can to make amends and earn back the trust that was broken. At Boardwalk Recovery Center, we support clients through the steps and encourage them to make amends when appropriate to restore their relationships and sense of morality. Use this list to reflect on the impact of the things that occurred and the accountability you are now capable of owning.

Examples of Making Amends in Recovery

When you’re ready to make amends, you can find support living amends to guide you through the process. Connect with 12-Step treatment programs to start planning your recovery. Making amends helps repair relationship problems caused by addiction. While the process may seem daunting at first, you can make amends in a way that’s sincere and respectful. This can be a powerful way to move your healing journey forward.

With the realization of how deeply we have hurt others through our addiction, we understand that amends must be made. In this step, we attempt to remove some of the debris created in the past through our actions. We believe everyone deserves access to accurate, unbiased information about mental health what is Oxford House and addiction. That’s why we have a comprehensive set of treatment providers and don’t charge for inclusion.

But to rectify this damage, we can’t maintain the same “me first” attitude that many of the other steps require. A few months back, she was traveling for an extended period of time. Well, the time came to continue my living amends to her and redo her entire master suite, including her bathroom. She came home to what she described as “a completely different house”. My living amends to my mother is to be fully present in my life so I can be fully present in hers. By confronting past mistakes, you begin to put the past behind and embrace a brighter, healthier future.

How to Successfully Make 9th Step Amends

• The fees for the advice of an attorney should not be compared to the fees of do-it-yourself online forms.
• This will make us less likely to take equally destructive actions in the future.
• A lakefront oasis providing a continuum of personalized addiction treatment surrounded by scenic views with private rooms, luxury amenities, and group outings.
• Living amends refers to the ways in which you change how you live your life in recovery or “walking our talk.” These changes affirm your commitment to the direct or symbolic amends you made with others.
• If willingness isn’t there yet, the program encourages asking a Higher Power for guidance until that willingness arises.
• We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

Each person’s experience of addiction and recovery is unique. Just like each person needs an individualized approach to alcohol addiction treatment, your approach to making amends in AA may look completely different from someone else’s. While making amends can be healing, the outcome is not always predictable. Nonetheless, being accountable for your misdeeds is your goal. Your actions alone may bring you a sense of peace, whether a person accepts you amends or not.

I do not expect anything in return and sincerely appreciate you taking the time to (read or listen) to me. Talk with your sponsor or others in your recovery community about what has worked for them. If your actions match your intentions and you reach out in person, you are doing the next right thing to right past wrongs.

• Nonetheless, being accountable for your misdeeds is your goal.
• It is always necessary to be open-minded when working the steps because discussing your amends list with a sponsor can surface other avenues of the amends process that you may not have considered before.
• They take different forms, including direct amends, indirect amends, and living amends.
• However, this provides you with hope and inspiration to become and remain a better person in all future endeavors.
• Consider those things carefully as you move through the inventory of your loved ones.

Giving a person space and honoring their right to feel what they feel about the impact your addiction and the connected behaviors has had on their lives. One of the most common reasons people want to make living amends is to correct past wrongs. Living amends bridges the gap between living in shame and regret and finding forgiveness. Examples of making amends could be doing volunteer work, paying off an old debt, making a public apology, etc.

Patient Care Network

The ninth step is very action-oriented and provides a sense of relief. Although step nine can be difficult, participants should remember that if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. It takes willingness and courage to reflect on and find a resolution to your mistakes.