Old 10-08-2018, 05:20 PM
  # 17 (permalink)  
AAPJ
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 1,068
I am pretty sure that the AA program is not focused on sending anyone to jail as part of their step work.

In the AA meetings I have attended on Step 9 I think the general opinion of the old timers would be that the part about "except when to do so would injure them or others" would apply in this case.

My sponsor pointed out to me some time ago that in step 8 one needs to become willing to make amends to all. But the step 9 exception regarding harm/injury puts some limits on who you actually make amends to. For me there are plenty of Step 9 amends I can make where the harm/injury exception does not apply. That's what I focused on.

Going on a bit farther back on the steps list to step 4 and 5 I remember an AA old timer advising us not to use their sponsor for step 5 if you have some criminal acts included in your situation. That's why a clergy person or licensed psychologist who is protected by law to keep things confidential may be needed for step 5.

It's all about progress not perfection.
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