TheMicro3D is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

Making Living Amends in 12 Step Recovery

I want to the my counselor for caring about my overall welfare. She never gave up on me but instead stuck by me until the end because she believed in me.

  • It’s much easier to just apologize and move on, but committing to living your life differently looks different.
  • Amends are about making things right with those you’ve harmed through your addiction.
  • Take some time to think back to the days of your active addiction.
  • Unfortunately, there are many things that we do in our using that we can not rectify with tangible goods or direct amends.
  • The four categories determine the manner in which the recovering alcoholic will express their amends.

These changes can positively impact the people you love and care about. There may be situations where the damage caused by your active addiction is irreparable. In these circumstances, you can https://ecosoberhouse.com/ make an indirect amend to rectify the wrong in the best way possible. Giving back to the community and helping others is a common way to make an indirect amend when you are in recovery.

What Do You Say When Making Amends? – The Step 9 Amends Letter

If you believe Wordfence should be allowing you access to this site, please let them know using the steps below so they can investigate why this is happening.

making living amends during addiction recovery

Soon, you’ll run out of reasons to give your loved ones why you’ve failed them once again. Another example would be of a person who’s been a taker all their lives suddenly decides they no longer want to be self-centered and selfish. They may living amends choose to make living amends by promising to change their ways and become more helpful to others. Again, you should only be making amends to people when it will not cause injury; do not make an amends if it will cause more harm than good.

Making Amends: How to Rebuild Relationships after Battling Addiction

Recovering addicts can no longer deny the downright despicable and awful acts they may have committed. The good news is however, that with the right steps and mindset, you can offer a sincere apology and make amends to the people you may have hurt. I cannot go back and change the past, but I can take responsibility for my actions. Each day I ask my Higher Power for the strength to help me stay sober and live responsibly and with honesty.

  • Making amends is an intentional action that will help you stay sober long-term.
  • For example, Alcoholic Anonymous ’s ninth step involves making amends to the individuals in your life who were affected by your addiction.
  • But making amends is not only about doing good for yourself; it’s also about doing good for others too.
  • Give each other space to figure out any new roles within your relationship and take things slowly.
  • His service in the community is a testament to his passion and selfless dedication to the cause of eradicating addictive disorders and stigma.
  • In the 9th Step, they then begin to make direct amends whenever possible.

Or, if you do borrow money, commit to a repayment plan and repay it in a timely fashion. A direct amend involves going to the person you wronged, taking ownership of the harm you caused, and actively repairing that damage. For example, if you got drunk and punched a hole in your mom’s wall, a direct amend would require going to your mom, admitting that you were wrong, and then repairing the hole in the wall for her. Repairing the damage done by addiction is a difficult process and it may not always be possible.

Leave a Comment