15 Sep Step 8

This blog post was written by guest blogger Michael Yeager BA. LCDC, C.Ht, LMT, SAP.  He is also a holistic health care professional therapist helping people empower themselves by resolving their life challenges in addiction, trauma and grief. He also provides consultation to hospital and non-hospital based treatment programs and provides public speaking seminars. He offers 46 approved homestudy courses at www.contemporaryteaching.com.

Please note that the opinions presented in the article are that of the author and not necessarily the opinions of RHN. RHN chooses to publish articles and share individual sites to evoke discussion and show all options, ideas and beliefs.

Made a list of all persons we had harmed

And became willing

To make amends to them all

This step helps the person in recovery acknowledge that they can do something.

In face all steps lead to an action that can be takes to tell the truth, to develop a new faith, to get to know self, to let another know self, to acknowledge mistakes made, to right wrongs when possible, heal relationships with people if possible, to continue to clean up mistakes made, to continue the relationship started with a Higher Power and to ask for Power to act on its will for self, admit, acknowledge a  change has taken place and share your transformation with others suffering the same or similar experience.

Ideas of possibility are the program.

I’ve noticed that addicts, affected family members, slippers, people who feel stuck, who have multi-addictive behaviors, those with mental illness coupled with addictions, ragers, isolates, avoiders, compulsive laughers, talkers, workers and myself from time to time feel that they can do nothing to right the wrongs they have done.

No one can take something back once it has been thought, said or done.

This is like “wanting things to be different, better or more” from John James book “The Grief Recovery Handbook” an excellent read on letting go of what is no longer here. There is an 8^th step process in my workbook “12+2 Steps Young People in Recovery”.  Really for any age but was written for young people.

So the 8^th step! When making a list, gotten from information gathered from new insights gained in steps 4 through 7, the individual has actually seen, felt and resolved their own pain and sorrow. Since the program involves improving relationships with self, God and “others” it is logical that “others” be left to the last now that the person has a firm foundation built under them based on Honesty, Open-mindedness and Willingness. The list is simply to include the names etc. of each person in the 4^th step. It is advisable for the recovering person to go over this list with their therapist, sponsor or coach. The idea is to make a plan of action to take with each person. This step will also possibly bring up feelings, resistance etc. that the therapist, sponsor or coach can assist them with to fully prepare for the 9^th step. Becoming clear on the motives for the work and gathering strength and internal convinces to go forward.

Now onto step 9 action, action and more action.