Making amends is an important stop along the road to recovery, and everyone takes this step at a different time. No matter how hard it is to admit, addiction hurts those you care about the most. There is always collateral damage to addiction and alcoholism. While this damage can’t be undone, you can make amends once you have entered recovery. To make amends you must take ownership for the harm you have caused, and then do something to fix what has been done. The exact process varies from person to person. Making amends won’t just help the person you hurt, it will help you to continue moving forward in your recovery. At Banyan Treatment Center Massachusetts, we offer drug and alcohol rehab in Massachusetts that includes this crucial step of recovery. We have put together some tips on how to make amends in addiction or alcoholism recovery.
Choose the Right Time
It can be emotionally challenging to make amends, which is why this process should not take place early in your recovery. Many patients don’t understand the full scope of their addiction or alcoholism, and they do not understand how to process their shame or guilt. Making amends at this stage will only worsen the shame and guilt, making relapse more likely. Amends are best made in the later steps of recovery when a patient has developed successful coping techniques and they have a better understanding of their challenges.
Be Genuine & Honest
Amends mean nothing if you are not genuine throughout the process. First, you need to be genuine and honest with yourself about the extent of the damage you have caused. You need to fully acknowledge what has been done before you can figure out how to fix it. When you are apologizing, offering fixes, or simply speaking to the individual you have hurt, you need to be completely genuine in your approach. If you are not genuine, you are not ready to make amends. Many patients in our alumni recovery program in Massachusetts begin making amends after they have completed inpatient our outpatient treatment.
Offer a Real Solution
When it comes to amends, saying sorry isn’t enough. Admitting fault and owning up to your mistakes by apologizing can help, but it’s also important to take action. You need to acknowledge how you can fix the damage that has been done, or how you can help the person with their healing. Typically, the first half of amends is apologizing, and the second half is giving a solution as well.
Making amends is an important part of recovery, and many patients choose to make amends after completing treatment at a drug and alcohol rehab in Massachusetts. Amends are different from person to person, but it is always important to be genuine and honest.
It’s also crucial to present solutions or to help someone heal from the damage you have done. For more tips on making amends, call 888-280-4763.
