Step 8 of AA — Making the List and Finding the Willingness

Step 8 of Alcoholics Anonymous asks us to make a list of all persons we had harmed and become willing to make amends to them all. It's the bridge between the self-focused work of Steps 4-7 and the outward action of Step 9.

Building the List

Your Step 4 resentment inventory is the starting point for Step 8. Everyone on your resentment list has likely been harmed in some way. But Step 8 goes further — you also include people you harmed through your drinking who may not have harmed you at all. Family members who lived in chaos. Employers you stole from. People you lied to. The list is usually longer than expected.

Willingness Is the Key

Step 8 doesn't ask you to make amends yet — just to become willing. Willingness is the spiritual work of Step 8. Some names on the list will feel impossible. Your sponsor helps you work through the resistance. By the time you've truly become willing for every name on the list, Step 9 becomes possible.

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