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Integrity in the AA Big Book: Understanding Steps Eight and Nine
The idea of integrity is deeply embedded in the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) philosophy and practices, especially in Steps Eight and Nine of the 12-Step Program. These steps merely serve as a basis for the individual to rebuild their integrity in the past, in the making of real apologies, and in changing their behavior. The AA Big Book says that these steps are not just apologies; but they involve self-honesty, taking responsibility, and doing what is necessary to ensure a real commitment to recovery and personal growth through learning and a further exploration of self. In this blog, I will lay out why I feel that integrity is important in these steps, the procedure involved, and how users are likely to be positively transformed.
Integrity in Steps Eight and Nine: What It Means in AA
In the AA Big Book, Integrity is considered integral to honesty, responsibility, and accountability which are the main qualities of a good recovery journey. For someone who is recovering from alcohol use disorder, integrity means an end to their drinking and an acknowledgment of the wrongs done in the past and a conscious increment of personal changes that are the results of the growth.
- Honesty and Self-Reflection: Steps Eight and Nine give you an honest assessment of your past and your impact on other people. For you to develop integrity, you have to be able to look beyond yourself and see the areas where you do harm.
- Morality and Ethical Boundaries: The meaning of being true to oneself in AA means the acceptance of a moral code and respect for boundaries. For people in recovery, this may entail establishing limits with respect to various personal matters, relationships, and commitments. These steps motivate a person to return to traditional values of integrity which is a major part of the AA program.
- Coherence of Actions and Words: Admitting wrongdoing in apersonal manner in Steps Eight and Nine alone is not enough. The goal is to follow that with proof of steady activities signifying genuine faith in its adoption. This relative match of messages and the deed is a true depiction of integrity, the base of lasting sobriety.
Step Eight: Making a List – The First Act of Integrity
The responsibility of taking Step Eight started with a hurting person action list. This list is not just a recollection of previous events but is additionally, as a result, a living confrontation with the devastation, influenced by the hurtful procedure that one, probably, won’t have bothered to notice or would have played down.
- Profound Self-Honesty: Drawing this list plainly indicates plenty of self-honesty, which is usually a difficult process, which can thus establish new sources of feelings such as guilt, shame, and remorse. However, it is these feelings that can also play a healing role, as, in this way, the individual gets a direct face-to-face challenge that is an unavoidable aspect of the process of integrity construction.
- Acknowledging Harm Without Excuses: Part of the key game of Step Eight is not mitigating thus denying or justifying the harm done. The effort is to take responsibility entirely and paint a clear picture of the way one’s behavior has transformed others while being the main subject of this. In this way, the individual’s feeling of past responsibility becomes better thus strengthening integrity.
- Evaluating Relationships and Commitments: In the course of this activity, people usually mark the exposure of those unpleasant relationships that were deprived of trust or freely crossed the wouldn’t of parameters. Also, the recognition of these precarious relationships is a key for clarification in where amends are to be made, and at the same time opens up the way to commit oneself to and respect the others.
Step Nine: Making Amends – Turning Apology into Action
The eighth step of the program helps a person know those they harmed, while the ninth step involves the actual process of doing those amends. In this step, a person is not just talking sorry. They are dealing honesty and have sincerity to mend the broken relationships.
- Taking Concrete Action Beyond Apologies: The ninth step focuses on something that is more important than only talking. Making amends is more than an apology; it takes a lot of actions that show trust and relationships rebuilding. For example, a debtor may give back the money to show their determination to act honestly.
- Practicing Humility and Accepting Responsibility: Making amendments often requires a high level of humility that is the person has to go to the person they hurt and be very mild. By taking the blame and being truly sorry, the person not only repairs the damaged relationship but he also builds himself stronger.
- Respecting Boundaries and the Impact of Amends: AA teaches that not all amends will be accepted, and some may even be harmful or unwelcome. Step Nine encourages individuals to respect others’ boundaries, as not everyone may be ready or willing to forgive. Integrity involves acknowledging this reality and respecting each person’s response.
The Psychological Benefits of Practicing Integrity in Recovery
Following Steps Eight and Nine in the AA program not only helps to fix relationships, but it is also a way to gain personal development and heal psychologically. Staying honest and doing the right thing can help improve mental health, self-esteem, and resilience, which are all significant factors that ensure long-term recovery.
- Developing Self-Esteem and Self-Worth: Making amends and taking responsibility are the keys to self-esteem. That ensures the individuals are sincere in their efforts to change. This process aids self-esteem by allowing the individuals to slowly shift their perspective from “untrustworthy” to “trustworthy”, and from “reliable” to “unreliable” thus affecting long-term recovery.
- Breaking Free from Shame and Guilt: When individuals do amends by paying people back, they face the feelings of shame and guilt occurring with the substance use disorder. This is done within the AA program and people in this way are able to be free from self-blaming but build a sense of purpose via self-acceptance and accountability.
- Building Resilience and Emotional Growth: Resilience is the fruit of honesty, courage, and a willingness to learn from one’s mistakes. Such characteristics help in emotional growth and they enable individuals to be well equipped to deal with future problems and crises without resorting to alcohol or drugs.
Integrating Integrity into Daily Life Beyond the 12 Steps
In AA, the principle of integrity is not only located in Steps Eight and Nine but also in the other areas of life in which healthy relationships, self-identity and a foundation for an ongoing recovery are built. Honesty, respect, and responsibility should daily be integrated into the way of life as a part of personality development for people to build integrity.
- Practicing Mindful Accountability: Recognizing personal responsibility and the capability to rectify mistakes is essential for integrity. Practicing the mindful accountability approach such as regular self-reflection and check-ins with a sponsor, helps individuals stay in line with their recovery goals and values.
- Maintaining Good Boundaries: Establishing and honoring personal boundaries are vital in readiness to embrace the integrity of recovery. Harmful environments and relationships that are likely to incite harmful behavior are kept at bay by setting clear and respectful boundaries.
- Embracing Honesty in All Interactions: Integrity fosters the promise of being honest in every aspect of life. To build lasting change and trust in personal relationships one must be truthful with friends, family, or themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does integrity mean in AA?
In AA, integrity refers to the characteristics of honesty, accountability, and the ability to show a commitment to self-growth and recovery by consistent actions.
How are Steps Eight and Nine different from each other?
Step Eight is simply the list of those that have been wronged while Step Nine is taking action to make amends and repair those relationships.
Why is honesty important in recovery?
Honesty is important in the recovery process because it helps the individual to face his/her actions, gain the awareness of themselves, and build trust.
What if someone doesn’t accept my amends in Step Nine?
AA encourages people to be aware of the limits that others may set and to understand that not all people are ready or willing to forgive. The process of making amends is about being responsible and not a stage in forcing forgiveness.
How can integrity improve my mental health?
When practicing integrity, patients gain self-respect, lessen the feelings of guilt, and they become better at coping, and that all contribute to a healthier mind and spirit.
References
- Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. (2001). Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism. 4th edition. AA World Services, Inc.
- Vaillant, G. E. (2005). Spiritual evolution: How we are wired for faith, hope, and love. Harvard University Press.
- Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2012). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change. Guilford Press.
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