Maybe you want to learn how to do Step 9 of AA, or you’ve heard of AA’s Step 9, but you do not know how to accomplish this step – whether in AA or CR. AA stands for Alcoholics Anonymous and is similar to Celebrate Recovery. The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice alcoholism symptoms for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, a doctor-patient relationship.
The 9th Step Promises (What Many People Experience)
Restoration means bringing something back to its former state, usually things that have been damaged. This can mean restoring our reputations, and even restoring trust in a relationship. Indirect Amends – finding ways to repair damage that cannot be reversed or undone by doing things like volunteering and helping others.
Be Patient and Understanding
A direct amend is the most involved form of correcting past harms. Ideally, it’s a face-to-face conversation where the person in recovery acknowledges how their conduct harmed the other person, apologizes and offers tangible ways to restitute for the pain caused. Regardless of the response, making amends is a critical step in your recovery. It’s an opportunity to confront your past actions, learn from them, and foster self-forgiveness.
Don’t forget, when you really work this step painstakingly and make amends, the 9th step promises begin to come true and you will be amazed before you are halfway through. Joi Honer directs the operations that support our alumni in their recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. Ms. Honer, who has been in long-term recovery for over 40 years, has worked in the treatment field for over 33 years. She holds certifications in addiction and co-occurring disorder counseling and a bachelor’s degree in addiction studies, having graduated summa cum laude. One very effective way to make amends is to go to Treatment.
Taking the Next Steps toward Wellness
AA doesn’t push a unique flavor of amends, as human relationships are nuanced and not every harm can be corrected. These two AA steps can help a person develop skills to live in peace with family and community members, which may result in creating a purposeful life where alcohol does not have a place. AA Steps 8 and 9 are two sides of the same coin within the organization’s recovery programs. They reflect the group’s philosophy that alcoholism is an isolating condition that tends to fuel conflict. Step 8 drives a person to examine their past and list everyone whom they have harmed and become willing to make amends to everyone on the list.
Always protect others by avoiding disclosing anything without their permission. No, you don’t have to disclose everything you did while you abused https://grosspaydigital.com/alcoholic-ketoacidosis-a-case-report-and-review-of/ alcohol. Always determine the scope of what you disclose to your sponsor. An apology can be perceived as just words, and considering that a person who abuses alcohol may be considered untrustworthy, even a sincere apology may be necessary but not sufficient. Ideally, vigorous action to correct past wrongdoings is the proper approach to step 9.
Key Takeaways
- The book may also be sold by Intergroup/Central Offices or recovery book stores at List Price or slightly higher.
- Begin by choosing an appropriate time and place, and communicate your intentions honestly and succinctly.
- Instead of making direct contact, you might write a heartfelt letter expressing your remorse and then choose not to send it.
- You don’t always have to send it, but an exercise like this can be very healing.
- When you acknowledge your role in causing wrongs to others and express regret from the heart, you may gain the chance to regain trust and, if you’re lucky, earn their forgiveness.
If you’ve made it to Step 9 in the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program, take a moment to recognize your tenacity and commitment. This milestone is a testament to your strength and the courageous steps you’ve already taken on your path to recovery. It might be easy to recognize who you’ve hurt with your drinking.
What is Step 9 in AA?
If you are new to this recovery series and are ready to jump in with the 12 steps, be sure to read Celebrate Recovery Step One! If you’re continuing this journey with us and would like to read the last article, please take a look at Celebrate Recovery Step 8. Celebrate Recovery Step 9 will introduce forgiveness in recovery. In past lessons, you learned how to make a list of amends. Now, you will offer those amends to others when possible. In order to do this, you’ll need to forgive yourself and those you are offering amends to.
Steps to Prepare for Making Amends
Your AA sponsor, therapist, or another trusted person can help you determine the best way to address this issue. Surely the people in our lives benefit from not having us drunk, but I don’t know if that is enough to say I made an amends to them. I make the amends when I follow through on being a better, kinder, wiser person…not just a sober one.
To follow the Big Book Step Eight directions, I needed to realize that the Steps are in order for a reason. If I would have followed the temptation to make an amends list out of order, it would not living amends have been nearly as effective. Our Programs serve Maricopa County and the surrounding cities and regions with evidence-based behavioral healthcare provided by individuals passionate about recovery. We are a licensed drug rehab in Phoenix, AZ, with substance abuse and Arizona alcohol rehab programs.
Direct Amends Vs. Apologies What’s the Difference?
At this point in our step work we may be trudging the road to happy destiny, but we’ve reached the point where we must repair what we left behind us on a path of shattered relationships. As active addicts and alcoholics, we likely lied, cheated, or stole in order to get, use (and hide using) our drug of choice… because addiction creates absolute moral wreckage. Step 9 is a significant landmark in your recovery journey. It’s an opportunity for healing and personal growth, fostering patience, sincerity, and openness.
Positive Psychological Effects of Step 9 AA
Your words should be specific and spoken with intention not remorseful mumbling. When you acknowledge your role in causing wrongs to others and express regret from the heart, you may gain the chance to regain trust and, if you’re lucky, earn their forgiveness. Besides that, when you sincerely apologize, you clear your conscience, thus reinforcing your commitment to becoming a better person in sobriety. Living amends are a way to show change through actions, not just words. This can help both the person making amends and those hurt by their actions. While an apology might calm things down for a bit, making amends is about fixing the problem and showing true regret through changed behavior.
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