Or there could be situations that were complicated by other addicts, or accusations of stealing more than just money. There are so many kinds of situations and they all need to be taken into consideration on an individual basis. We have already begun making amends to ourselves by changing some of our behaviors, attitudes and beliefs. The part of the amends process whereby we change ourselves has an effect on everyone around us and goes on long after we’ve spoken directly to someone we have harmed.
An Example of Step 9: John Makes Apologizes for His Treatment of Mark
However, there are situations where it might not be appropriate. If approaching the other person opens up old wounds or re-traumatizes them, making amends isn’t advisable. If interacting with someone re-traumatizes you, or increases your risk of relapse, https://exclusive.codekat.com/alcoholic-seizures-alcohol-withdrawal-seizures/ you might want to reconsider approaching them. Making amends involves acknowledging and correcting past behaviors.
Freedom: Moving On From Step Nine Of AA Alcoholics Anonymous
But figuring out how to make amends can be a different matter. living amends The entire process of making amends can feel overwhelming. Your loved ones deserve living amends from you, whether they are alive or if they have passed. This is one of the best tools to make amends with a deceased loved one. To complete this step, you must be willing to admit to and face the impacts your past has had on your life and others’ lives.
Personal Experience: Amends That Mattered
- It’s Step 9, helping to heal relationships and stay sober.
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- Remember that your journey is unique and valuable, and every step — no matter how difficult — brings you closer to healing and self-improvement.
Successfully approaching and accomplishing step nine requires the alcoholic in recovery to be willing to go to any lengths to make amends to those individuals whom they have harmed in the past. Apologizing is difficult for many people, and taking responsibility for your actions can be painful as it may remind you of the harm you have caused. However, this provides you with hope and inspiration to drug addiction become and remain a better person in all future endeavors.
Step Nine states that we make amends “except when to do so would injure them or others.” We don’t want our actions to cause further damage, harm or stress. In those cases, we can make amends in a broader sense by taking actions like donating money, volunteering our time or providing care. An apology is just a verbal acknowledgment of wrongdoing, whereas an amend means actively repairing relationships and showing dedication to change.