Step Nine:

“Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,
except when to do so would injure them or others.”

GOOD judgment, a careful sense of timing, courage, and
prudence—these are the qualities we shall need when we
take Step Nine.

After we have made the list of people we have harmed,
have reflected carefully upon each instance, and have
tried to possess ourselves of the right attitude in which to
proceed, we will see that the making of direct amends
divides those we should approach into several classes.
There will be those who ought to be dealt with just as
soon as we become reasonably confident that we can
maintain our sobriety. There will be those to whom we
can make only partial restitution, lest complete disclosures
do them or others more harm than good. There will
be other cases where action ought to be deferred, and still
others in which by the very nature of the situation we
shall never be able to make direct personal contact at all.

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 83. Copyright © 1981
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Ninth Step Prayer
Higher Power,
I pray for the right attitude to make my amends,
Being ever mindful not to harm others in the process.
I ask for Your guidance in making indirect amends.
Most important, I will continue to make amends
By staying abstinent, helping others and
Growing in spiritual progress.

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