Empowering Positive Change for Addiction Recovery
Along with reinforcing new behaviors and outlooks, making amends can also reduce stress. Many who lived with addiction have past behaviors they’re not proud of. By proactively correcting previous mistakes, those in recovery may be able to prevent future conflicts that could trigger a relapse. For many who lived in addiction, apologizing was a regular habit. Whether it was apologizing for being late for work, missing an event, misusing property or stealing money to support an addiction, expressing remorse was likely a daily occurrence. The guilt may have been real, but the apology didn’t come with lasting change.
Expressing Genuine Regret
Even if you successfully finish an addiction treatment program, many individuals find themselves relapsing because they don’t have the skills necessary to maintain a sober lifestyle. A sober living program can help you gain these skills, but you may be afraid that you can’t afford this program. Fortunately, when you apply for the scholarship from Living Amends, you have assistance in paying for the support you need. We’ll help you fund your first three months living in one of our sober living partners. To apply for one of our scholarships, complete the form below.
Recovery Coaching
It would be nice if the above outcomes were universal—but they aren’t (of course). Making amends won’t necessarily play out like the ending of a Hallmark movie. Sometimes, the outcome can be https://ecosoberhouse.com/ uglier and downright disappointing. They may refuse to meet at all or refuse to listen to what you have to say. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to say when preparing to make amends.
- Recovery support groups and individual therapy can help you if you are struggling to make amends or accept the responses of others.
- We’ll help you fund your first three months living in one of our sober living partners.
- I don’t call him to see how his meeting went this week or what step he’s on.
- Incorporating these lessons into the development of future amends can lead to a more positive and meaningful outcome for such people, and allow for a more mindful and respectful approach.
- The first step is to know that your questions and feelings are normal.
- It’s important to be mentally prepared for different types of responses and to have a plan in place to manage these responses, which can be processed with a sponsor or support group.
Practicing Forgiveness and Self-Compassion
This can be a powerful way to move your healing journey forward. My name is Kyle, and I have been a blessed recipient of [a] sober living scholarship program from Living Amends. Again, in recovery, your words may not mean as much to some people as you wish they would. Understandably, some people may just need more time to learn how to trust you again. In these instances, the best thing you can do is to focus on your behavior and remain faithful to your commitment to live an honest, sober life.
These changes can positively impact the people you love and care about. Making amends with the people you’ve fallen out with as you’re thinking about mortality and what happens when you die is one way of finding emotional freedom and closure. But what happens when the person you need to make amends with dies before you’re able to apologize and change your ways? Unfortunately, this scenario plays out much too often in the lives of people who didn’t get a chance to correct their mistakes and past behaviors in time.
What Will the Scholarship Pay?
And some people in your life may not be receptive on your timeline. Communicating about the way you harmed others can evoke strong emotions. Many people find that the support they receive from AA meetings helps them prepare to make amends.
The Role of Step 9 of the Twelve Steps
- Making amends won’t necessarily play out like the ending of a Hallmark movie.
- Each step signifies a new challenge to reflect and/or act in a way that changes old mindsets and behaviors that once fed addiction.
- I let him decide if he wants to do laundry at midnight or wear dirty clothes.
- Sometimes direct amends are not possible, and this is where living amends come into play.
Some people will be easier than others to approach due to the relationship you have with them, how close you live to them, or other factors. In some situations, attempting to make amends may cause more harm than good. And in some cases, you may not be able living amends to make direct amends at all. However, you can still take action in all of these situations to satisfy the spirit and the intent of Step 9 and progress in your step work. When first writing your list, don’t worry about including everyone you have wronged.
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