What are “Living Amends?”

Though we would certainly suggest she read some of our other posts on seems like regret and self-forgiveness, we also deeply appreciate the option of a ‘living amends’. As Kessler describes, this woman may decide that her way of making amends is to always answer the phone when someone she loves calls after a fight. Though this cannot undo or directly compensate for the initial mistake, it can serve as living amends that comes through a different way of being in the world. Though you can’t directly apologize to the person and compensate for what you did to them, you can consider exactly what you would apologize for and what you would do differently, and still do it differently.

Essentially, it means making a radical shift in the way you live and sticking to that. When you make living amends, you make genuine changes to support your emotional and physical sobriety. In doing so, you promise to live a sober and honest life and never return to your old ways of lying and hurting the people you love the most. Unlike direct and indirect amends, living amends are not aimed at repairing ties with anyone specifically. Living amends is the part of your recovery where you must “walk your talk” by incorporating positive, healthy habits into your new lifestyle.

Step 9: The Best 5 Tips for Living Amends

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. David Kessler discusses a living amends in his latest book, Finding Meaning. In his book he shares the situation of a woman who has a fight with her brother. Though he calls her following the argument, she doesn’t answer.

This link is made available to provide information about local S-Anon & S-Ateen groups. By providing this link we do not imply review, endorsement or approval of the linked site. Thank you for visiting We hope that you have found the information you were seeking. Her next suggestion was that whenever I was in his presence I should try to stay in the same room he was in, at least for a brief time. I had spent years going from room to room to avoid his presence at family gatherings. Staying put was very awkward for me initially, but as time passed, it became more comfortable.

Living Amends

Each has responsibilities in supporting the recovery process. Individuals have personal responsibility for their own recovery through self- care and making choices that support their personal growth. Addiction takes over your life, stealing both your joy and your time, and making it impossible for you to give back to others and live a generous life. Instead, as you pursue a life in recovery, focus on being generous with your time and giving back to others. In this way, you can take the focus off of yourself and choose to live a life of greater meaning.

People get tired of broken promises, of forgiving over and over and giving second and third, fourth, or fifth chances only to get hurt again. When you’re looking to change both your behavior and your broken relationships, stop making excuses to fulfill your promises. Soon, you’ll run out of reasons to give your loved ones why you’ve failed them https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/making-living-amends-during-addiction-recovery/ once again. Another example is a substance or alcohol-addicted adult child who regularly steals money, jewelry, and other valuable items from their elderly parent’s home. However, they may suddenly feel guilty and decide to change their ways. They can make a living amend to change their lifestyle, get sober, and stop stealing from their parent.

What does living amends mean?

Although it’s unrealistic to expect it from your partner, you are worthy to be acknowledged and honored for the effort you’ve made to change your behavior and repair the damage done to your relationship. Thankfully we are given some insight in to how to make amends through steps 8 and 9. But amends are so much more than just making a list and saying you are sorry, and this is where it becomes important to understand the difference between making an amends and making an apology. Our trauma informed, holistic approach to substance abuse treatment seeks to heal the individual in all aspects of his or her addiction. Your donation will provide a scholarship to someone in recovery, supporting them through the first few months of sober living in one of our partner organizations.

• The goal of this paper is to understand why primates, including humans, make amends.
• Sex addicts often feel unworthy of their partner’s respect and love.
• Please read our success stories below, or contact our team today to talk to some of our experts.
• The concept of making amends originates from AA’s 12 Step program, which provides a framework for individuals to build a long-lasting, sustainable recovery.
• We actually seemed to be somewhat friendly with each other.
• Thankfully we are given some insight in to how to make amends through steps 8 and 9.

One of the best ways you can make long-lasting changes to your relationships is by being true to your word. Essentially, don’t make promises that you can’t keep and do everything you can to live up to the promises you do make. The unfortunate truth is that we’re all human and we all fall short sometimes. However, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed at your new, honest and sober lifestyle. You can still be true to that by making an honest apology and not making excuses for why you didn’t follow through. Then, the next time around, make sure to make good on your word.

Families and communities have responsibilities to provide support and opportunities for health, wellness and social inclusion. We offer same day phone screenings for no cost to determine if our services are right for your recovery. The first step is to know that your questions and feelings are normal.

• One of her children is killed crossing the street on their own even after telling their mother that they were afraid to cross the busy street alone.
• Not only that, but by doing so they are denying themselves the obvious benefits of self-forgiveness.
• “We never left New York City when it shut down and we didn’t know how it was spreading. And all you could hear were ambulance sirens everywhere,” she recalls of those scary early COVID days.

As an addict, when you’re engaged in most of these activities — even imperfectly — you are making the best amends possible. By showing up, doing the work, and continuing to do “the next right thing,” you will make more progress toward trust-building and repair than with any amount of words. The strengths of individuals, families and communities are foundational to recovery.