The Science of Step 9 AA: How Making Amends Can Help

Before you start working step nine, you must have already completed step eight. Step eight says “Made a list of all the people we have harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.” You cannot work the 9th step effectively without doing step eight first. To work the 12 steps effectively, specifically step nine, you should have a sponsor or someone that has already worked the steps to help you and more importantly be there to support you. Do not try to attempt to work step nine without a sponsor, therapist, or spiritual advisor. Your sponsor can help walk you through this by asking you about your goals in making amends, how you plan to do it, and when.

Be generous with your time.

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. Having the support of this scholarship to help me be able to stay in sober living has greatly increased my spiritual and emotional health. For the first time in my life I find myself inviting God into my daily life. While still very new to this, most of my prayers are simple. I ask in the morning for God to help me stay sober today and guide me in my recovery.

  • I plan to continue applying for nursing jobs and hope to find employment in the recovery field or in wellness work.
  • It’s been a really great experience to do that sober, with other sober people!
  • If your actions match your intentions and you reach out in person, you are doing the next right thing to right past wrongs.
  • Living Amends is a non-profit organization supporting those serious about sobriety by trusting God, cleaning house and helping others.
  • They miss the opportunity to be truly reflective about how your wrongdoings have impacted the other person and can be misread.
  • Figure out ways to improve upon them, and tell your loved ones what you’re working on to help you improve.

How to Successfully Make 9th Step Amends

In Twelve Step recovery, your pace is your own to determine. No doubt you will experience challenges and setbacks along the way. But by prioritizing your recovery on a daily basis and doing whatever that next right thing might be for you, you will keep moving forward in Top 5 Advantages of Staying in a Sober Living House living a life of good purpose. 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. We are only in control of our part—making and living the amends.

Get help for recovery and the 12-Step Program

  • 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.
  • I went to treatment 11 times and stayed sober for a couple of months at a time, but it never really took.
  • A qualified behavioral therapist can help you identify the areas of your life that need attention.
  • This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care.

I also made countless promises to her that I did not keep. It ranged from promising to fix something around the house to going to a family gathering. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

living amends

Undoubtedly, you, too, have a list of ways in which you want to live out your living amends, and that’s great! The more personalized your lifestyle changes are, the more they’re going to resonate and stick with you. When you make a real effort to change your past behaviors, you need to make the initial move in repairing broken relationships.

My name is Kyle, and I have been a blessed recipient of [a] sober living scholarship program from Living Amends. This was possible thanks to the financial support I received from Living Amends. Once I was in sober living, I started off with getting a bed, then Whitney gave me a temporary job which turned into me getting a more permanent job.

  • He was a brilliant passing big man, both in the half court and by initiating the fast break after a rebound with an outlet pass.
  • In February 2009 he had a spinal fusion, and it not only eased his pain but also gave him a fresh outlook.
  • Whenever possible, those in recovery are encouraged to make direct amends face-to-face with those they’d harmed while living in addiction.
  • I ask in the morning for God to help me stay sober today and guide me in my recovery.
  • Here is $200, and if I’m incorrect and owe you more, I will repay the remainder.
  • When first writing your list, don’t worry about including everyone you have wronged.

In addition, we will be asking our recipients to pay it forward by returning 25% of the scholarship to Living Amends within 12 months. Once we award the scholarship, the recipient must agree to all terms sent by email. Once all terms are agreed too, we will transfer the funds directly to the sober living facility. If the applicant receives a scholarship, we ask their sober living community to provide a weekly report on their progress. Apologies, while they can be well meaning, feel like lip service to many people. Especially if the disease behaviors created deep fissures, or if they are used in place of more direct amends.

  • Through donations and contributions from people who are also in recovery, we can encourage you to live a sober lifestyle.
  • Remembering how I stole from you makes me sad and fills me with shame.

Steps for Making Living Amends

I did new inventories, made amends, and for some great peace of mind that continues to this day. I now sponsor several guys in the community and have gone into business for myself. https://thechigacoguide.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ I also have a new profession in the sobriety field that feels like a calling. I can now pay it forward just like many did for me and would like to sponsor/scholarship someone.