They help navigate the complexity of making amends, advising on whether the suggested form of amends is appropriate and constructive. Living amends is a concept linked to addiction recovery and part of the twelve-step program for sober living. In simple terms, it means taking responsibility for the person you used to be and how you caused harm to the people in your life who care about you. They provide individuals with a roadmap to recovery and personal growth.

The Value of the Principles of AA

But I know they will know, we had settled everything made our amends to each other and enjoyed the rest of their lives. This makes me realize more and more how much this program living amends is a lifetime program. Reflecting on previous attempts at making amends can provide valuable insights and learning opportunities for more effective amends in the future.

Identifying 3 Types of Amends: Direct, Indirect, and Living

Remember, this is a Twelve Step process that can provide a platform for healing, but the person we are reaching out to may not be at the same place in healing as we are. As with alcohol and other drugs, we are also powerless over other people. We cannot control how others respond, whether they will forgive or whether they will hold on to negative feelings or resentments. Taking these actions helps us to separate ourselves from the disease of addiction. We come to understand that we are good people with a bad disease.

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Book

A living amend might include a posthumous promise to the deceased child to, from now on, make it a point to walk their surviving siblings to the bus stop each day. You’ve worked your way through the entire process of growing and setting yourself up for success in sobriety, and now you have the opportunity to guide less experienced members through their own journey. Living with the principle of service means it’s your responsibility to help others as you were helped when you first started to work the 12 steps. To find out, it’s important to carefully explore the principles of AA. For Wilson and Smith, surrendering to a ‘higher power’ was an integral part of their plan’s development. Today, some critics of the program find that aspect of AA problematic, arguing that self-empowerment is an effective way to manage addiction and achieve lasting recovery.

• Do whatever possible to show respect for the situation and the person to whom you are making amends is the order of the day.
• Other times, we cannot make direct 12-Step amends, such as when the other person has passed away or a business has closed.
• The length of time it takes to complete the 12 steps of a recovery program can vary greatly depending on the individual and their circumstances.
• It might seem backward, but when you admit that you don’t have power, you finally access the power you need.
• It can be helpful to explore different options and find what resonates with you personally.

For many people, the 12 steps have been vital in their recovery process. Sometimes, direct amends are not possible or advisable, especially if it might cause further harm. In such cases, living amends—ongoing changes in behavior and attitudes—are made to demonstrate a commitment to sobriety, personal growth, and making a positive difference. By consistently embodying these changes, individuals can rebuild trust and repair relationships over time. Whenever possible, a direct amend is made face-to-face rather than over the phone or by asking someone else to apologize on your behalf. Making living amends primarily benefits you and not the people you’ve wronged in the past.

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. How blessed we are to become free from our past, and given the gift to help free another. It is a clear and purposeful act designed to clear up a problem from the past. Don’t letting putting off making an apology or paying a debt you owe become a bigger problem in the future that could cause you to pick up a drink. An example would be telling someone how sorry you are that you stole from them and actually giving back what you took.

How Will Making Amends Help My Recovery?

• An example of Step 9 amends is when someone in recovery apologizes for stealing and then makes it right by returning the stolen property.
• This involves considering a sustained period of sobriety and the readiness of both parties to engage with one another, at least for this purpose.
• Many people suffering from alcoholism continue to find success in recovery by participating in AA’s program.
• Making amends may seem like a bitter pill to swallow, but for those serious about recovery, it can be good medicine for the spirit and the soul.
• It means that you’re not just using your words to show a change, your actions are proving this change as well.

In the making of an amend, be prepared for a variety of reactions including acceptance, indifference, or even outright hostility. It’s definitely central to respect the desires of individuals who opt out and to concentrate on your recovery, rather than on achieving forgiveness or easing personal guilt. Our team of experienced and compassionate therapists and counselors guides clients through every step of the recovery process. With their extensive knowledge and empathetic approach, clients receive the support and expertise needed to navigate the challenges of addiction. Of course, there are many other books and resources available on the 12-step program, and what works best for one person may not work for another. It can be helpful to explore different options and find what resonates with you personally.

• American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information.
• We cannot control how others respond, whether they will forgive or whether they will hold on to negative feelings or resentments.
• Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, the two men who founded AA in 1935, drew their inspiration for the Twelve Steps from the Oxford Group.
• If someone does not want to hear from us, we respect that and do our best to move forward with our recoveries.