Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction HopeStep 9: When Is It
Important aspects of recovering from addiction involve healing in multiple ways, including:
- Physically
- Emotionally
- Psychologically
- Mentally
When it comes to recovering from addiction, aspects of treatment that may seem most obvious and important include detoxification, behavioral therapy and the like.
Making Amends
Other critical aspects of healing from an addiction that may not seem as obvious include making amends with others, particularly those in your life who may have been partitioned by the decisions made while under the influence of your addictive behaviors.
Being hopeful and honest about your mistakes, taking responsibility for your past, and expressing remorse can all be meaningful ways to take steps towards making amends with loved ones in your life who have been negatively impacted by your recovery.
However, making amends with someone may not always be appropriate, and even when you have the best intentions at heart, it is important to analyze the situation as a whole.
Harmful To Make Amends
Some individuals in your life may not be quite ready to make amends with you due to the degree of hurt or pain they may personally be experiencing.
It is crucial to understand and respect a person’s boundaries in this respect and know that every individual takes their own time to heal from grievances and hurt.
Other aspects to consider are the mental and emotional wellness of the individual whom which you are seeking to make amends.
If a person in your life is dealing with other emotional issues or perhaps a mental illness, it is important to consider your timing in choosing to make amends.
On another note, individuals who are perhaps dealing with anger or who may react inappropriately to your gestures of making amends, you may also consider waiting until a more appropriate time or choosing to make amends under a different setting, such as with a therapist or counselor present.
Regardless of what situation you may find yourself in, you can continue to work on your recovery and heal from your past by coming to a place in which you are able to forgive yourself and express remorse to others.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
What factors do you think are important to consider when choosing to make amends with someone in your life?
About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on December 31, 2015
Published on AddictionHope.com