In my addiction, I made a lot of messes; perhaps you can relate. The disasters must be cleaned up; there’s no getting around the work. It's uncomfortable but a crucial step in mending fences and moving forward. 

How does one go about it? A bit like this:

Own It: The first step is admitting that your actions, influenced by addiction, may have caused harm. It's like saying, "Yeah, I did that, and I'm not proud of it." There are no excuses or blaming something or someone else – just a straightforward acknowledgment.

Understand the Impact: Put yourself in the other person's shoes. Imagine how your actions might have felt to them. It's like realizing, "Wow, that must have been tough for them," and truly understanding the emotional impact.

Say Sorry: A sincere apology goes a long way. It's not just a casual "Sorry about that" but a genuine expression of regret for your actions and their consequences.

Change Your Behavior: Show you’re serious about not repeating things. It means staying committed to your sobriety or whatever changes you make to avoid those negative behaviors.

Be Patient: Just because you're ready to make amends doesn't mean others are ready to forgive. Give them time and space to heal.

Take accountability for your past. Acknowledge the impact they may have had on yourself and others. Taking responsibility is about being honest, showing empathy, and actively working to improve. It's a mix of looking back to acknowledge what went wrong and looking forward to ensuring it doesn't happen again.

* For Sober coaching with Justin, click here.

** For Justin's 90 Days of Sobriety course, click here.

*** To buy Daily Sober, click here.