On October 11th, 2018, the actor Jason Biggs—best known for his roles in Orange is the New Black and American Pie—shared that he had been sober for a year. Next to a photo of an Alcoholics Anonymous chip, he said, “I first tried to get sober over 5 years ago, when the weight of my obsession with booze and drugs became too heavy for me to handle…After some fits and starts, I’ve managed to put together one year of sobriety. I’m as proud of it as anything in my life. If you’re struggling, know there’s help. Don’t be ashamed. We can do this.”[1] On that same day, Biggs’ wife made a post congratulating him. The couple have two kids together and a happy marriage, but for ten years of it, Biggs was in active addiction. This is a good reminder that what a person projects to the outside world doesn’t always reflect what’s going on internally. It’s hard to tell whether Biggs has stayed continuously sober since 2017, but in July of this year, he sent an apology message to the model and singer Courtney Stodden in which he said he’s tried to stay sober. Stodden posted his message as an example of a good apology. In it, Biggs said, “Hi Courtney-I wanted to drop you a note to say that I’m sorry for any tweet I made in the past that may have hurt your feelings…I am trying my best these days to live a clean and sober life, one in which I make good and healthy decisions—and that means taking accountability for the bad decisions I made in the past.”[2] Making amends is often encouraged in 12-step programs, but it can be healing for both parties whatever route you take for recovery. It’s just important to consider whether the person might want to hear from you, and also make peace with the fact that they may not accept your apology (or respond at all). Still, taking accountability for your past is an important part of recovery that—while it may seem counterintuitive—helps you move forward. If you are struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder, there is help and hope. TruHealing Centers offers high-quality treatment for addiction and mental health disorders in facilities across the country. Our staff—many of whom are in recovery themselves—will treat you as a whole person, providing comprehensive care. To learn more, call an admissions specialist at 410-593-0005. [1] https://people.com/tv/jason-biggs-one-year-sober-alcohol-drug-obsession/ [2] https://www.instagram.com/p/CRXcBkTBJAx/