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The Practical 12 Steps of Recovery From Codependency

The Practical 12 Steps of Recovery from Codependency are as follows. We:

1.Admitted we were caught in a self-destructive cycle and currently lacked the tools to stop it

2.Trusted that a healthy lifestyle was attainable through social support, self-improvement, and self-compassion

3.Made a decision to commit to a life of progress and empowerment, trusting a process of change, growth, and self-acceptance

4.Made a comprehensive list of our resentments, fears, and patterns of thought and behavior in our relationships with ourselves and others, evaluating our need and willingness to change

5.Shared our lists with a trustworthy person

6.Made a list of our character traits, both healthy and unhealthy

7.Began cultivating healthy character traits through consistent positive behavior

8.Determined the best way to make amends to those we had harmed including ourselves

9.Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would cause harm

10.Practiced daily self-reflection and continued making amends to ourselves and others whenever necessary

11.Started meditating

12.Sought to retain our newfound recovery lifestyle by teaching it to those willing to learn and by surrounding ourselves with healthy people

These steps were adapted from Jeffrey Munn’s steps in his book Staying Sober Without God. We are forever grateful.