We talk a lot about how important making amends is, and with good reason. Making amends is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and those around you in recovery. However, making amends is more than just something nice you should do. Making amends is an essential part of recovery, and there’s a reason it’s a cornerstone of virtually every major 12 step program. Making amends is important for reasons far more essential than just feeling good. It’s a measure of your growth in sobriety, and your growth as a person.

Making amends is a big step. In many ways, you’re saying that the person who made those mistakes is behind you, and while you acknowledge their actions, you’re not going to participate in them anymore. You’ve grown beyond addiction, and beyond the person you were when you were addicted. Making amends is one of the best ways to actually move forward. It’s directly owning up to the mistakes of the past, especially those caused by the influence of addiction. You’re showing personal growth, and there’s very little in recovery that’s more essential than that.

Recovery is about moving forward; it’s not about forgetting your past, however. This is why making amends is so essential. Without a strong, affirmative acknowledgment of the past, it’s impossible to make meaningful change. Once we realize and own up to where we went wrong, it’s much easier to pinpoint what we need to do to make sure we don’t repeat any of our past mistakes. If we can make the people we care about feel better in the process, making amends benefits everyone involved.

Making amends is, frankly, incredibly important. If you’re on the fence about reaching out to those you’ve wronged, now is the time. Show you’re ready to move forward in life, both to yourself and to those you care about.