Understanding the Steps: Step 8

Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all

When categorizing your amends, feel free to use our 9th step amends worksheet – Download PDF

We have a list of all persons we have harmed and to whom we are willing to make amends. We made it when we took inventory. We subjected ourselves to a drastic self- appraisal. Now we go out to our fellows and repair the damage done in the past. We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves. If we haven’t the will to do this, we ask until it comes. Remember it was agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol.

A.A. Big Book, p. 76

Step 8 is the beginning of making amends, of healing the past with others. From the inventory of Step 4, I have a good starting place for making a list of people that I have harmed. I look over my personal inventory and possibly reflect on my life again. I make a list of the people that I have harmed. I can write down thoughts beside each name about what the appropriate amends might be. I then go through the list and make sure I am willing in my heart to make the amends.

From 12Step.org

When categorizing your amends, feel free to use our 9th step amends worksheet – Download PDF

Author: Anonymous