Substance addiction often results in numerous negative consequences. Few are more measurable or destructive than the impact such behavior has on a chemical dependent’s close associations. Fortunately, recovering subjects may be able to reverse such adverse occurrences by making amends.
Why Is Making Amends Important?
At the end of the day, solid relationships with close family members, friends, and additional dear associations are among the most important possessions one can own. When these connections are damaged, significant pain and other hard feelings can result and fester for prolonged periods causing potentially irreparable harm.
It is for this reason that the organization Alcoholics Anonymous has established making amends as the eight and ninth stages of their 12-step program that many former addicts have employed to reestablish and maintain their sobriety.
Specifically, step eight calls upon 12-step participants to create a list entailing each and every person they wronged and demonstrate a willingness to make amends to said subjects. The ninth phase requires healing souls make direct amends whenever possible unless doing so would cause the harmed soul greater distress.
The Process
It is important for recovering subjects to understand the difference between merely apologizing and making amends. In many instances, the problems former substance dependents caused other people were large and lasting. Therefore, simply saying that their sorry does not heal such wounds.
The amends-making process is divided into two categories: direct and indirect.
Direct Amends
When performing direct amends, healing souls are required to confront the harmed individual, admit that they wronged said subject, and work with them to find the most befitting way to make it up to them. One common example is literally paying someone the former dependent stole money or other precious items from back.
It is also important for healing subjects to remember that simply righting a wrong does not necessarily repair the internal damage the addict’s behavior caused. In certain circumstances, emotions and feelings may never be repaired.
Indirect Amends
Recovering persons execute indirect amends when unable to meet with the scarred subject. Such events might arise from physical distance or because the damaged individual might not wish to meet in a face-to-face setting. In such cases, the improving person must perform actions demonstrating that they have changed and wish to correct past transgressions.
How Making Amends Proves Beneficial To The Recovery Process?
Making amends can also significantly help the healing soul during the recovery process and beyond in ways such as:
Enhancing Self-Esteem
Admitting one’s mistakes is never easy. However, partaking in said behavior might help a former dependent improve as a person. Those who recognize the errors they made in the past are less likely to repeat such blunders in the future.
Creating Resolution
Lingering conflict can create undue stress for the healing subject. Resolving longstanding hostilities can take an appreciable load off the improving person’s mind. Moreover, said actions can rekindle relationships with people from their past who may aid them during their recovery and afterwards.
Reestablishing Trust
Former substance dependents often broke the trust they once had with family, friends, and other close relations. Behaviors such as cheating, lying, and stealing, in addition to their addictions likely rendered such persons untrustworthy and unsavory. Making amends demonstrates that the healing soul is attempting to earn back the sacred trust of those they wronged.
Alleviating Stress
Former substance abusers might find the guilt and shame of their past transgressions to difficult to bear. Such feelings could result in relentless mental and emotional anguish ultimately resulting in relapse, mental disorders, or notable health problems. Repairing past mistakes might prevent the occurrence of such unpleasant events.
Reaching Out To Us
Individuals who have completed rehab but might not yet feel confident enough to head back out into the world are urged to reach out to us. Our Ohio facility has helped numerous people gain the strength and confidence needed to make the leap back into civilian life. Call us at 833-285-1315.
