My dad’s friend Whitney Welch from Living Amends decided to scholarship me into sober living. That was 255 days ago—eight months of sobriety from a guy who couldn’t get eight days. So far, sober living has taught me how to pay bills, be accountable for my actions, how to be a member of a community, and to be the best sober gentlemen I can be. If I hadn’t received help along this journey, I wouldn’t have succeeded. Thank you, Living Amends, for the scholarship and for investing in my success.
What If They Hurt You Too?
Going by this take, you can think of living amends as a replacement for direct amends in step nine. When held in the bonds of an addiction, it’s not uncommon for many relationships to feel strain, or to fall apart together. Thankfully we are given some insight in to how to make amends through steps 8 and 9. For example, we might intend to go to a friend’s birthday party, but in actuality, we fail to show up for the https://kaswar-eg.com/10-rappers-that-stay-away-from-weed-3/ event.
- For example, we might intend to go to a friend’s birthday party, but in actuality, we fail to show up for the event.
- The reason I give this disclaimer is making amends is a personal thing.
Living Amends will be holding funding for scholarships during July and August 2025.
Many recovering alcoholics have relapsed when they allowed their fears to block them from completing step nine. For example, Dr. Bob, one of the original drug addiction founders of the AA program, could not stay sober until he went around town and made amends to all those he had hurt. Sometimes, direct amends are not possible or advisable, especially if reaching out might cause further harm to others or reopen old wounds. In such cases, living amends—ongoing changes in behavior, attitudes, and daily actions—become an alternative way to show accountability and a commitment to sobriety.
How Living Amends Positively Impacts Recovery Outcomes
Generally speaking, people work through the Steps of Alcohol Anonymous with an addiction treatment counselor and/or sponsor. You can also turn to AA’s Big Book and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (the 12 & 12) for guidance specific to Step living amends 8. It’s important to have a plan in place before we reach out. We can’t know for certain how another person will respond—or even how the interaction might affect us emotionally. So be sure to talk with your sponsor and/or support group about your plan in the event that you need support.
