Inventory Example

Self will run riot is the key to destruction in recovery. How would we ever know if we needed to change anything in our lives if we don't take time out to take a look at our actions? The statement above is so true that I used to hate it with a passion. When I was first introduced to recovery I had a therapist (This was mandatory so that I could get my Methadone) that used to use this line on me all of the time. I hated that line!

Over the years and with more experience in recovery and many different therapists, treatment centers, AA meetings, NA meetings, and jail I had to start facing the facts, She Was Right!

I... Me, Myself and I were responsible for 90 percent of the problems I had my entire life. All of these events and places showed me how to take my own truthful inventory and realize for the first time that I was not bad or wrong, I just needed to fix a few things.

Actually by using the Personal Inventory method I have not changed a few things but just about everything in my life today. Because of this my life is very predictable, very exciting, as well as being very peaceful and satisfying. This was all given to me freely because there were individuals in the recovering community that were able to love and care for me when I no longer had the capacity or the insight to to it for myself. For these wonderful people that have so unselfishly touched my life I will be eternally grateful. And they were the ones that taught me the concept of taking a Personal Inventory.

Knowing our true self is essential for long term recovery. The sooner that we take our own inventory, the sooner we start getting better.

The best tools to help you with your recovery are the NA or AA Fourth Steps. Some other important questions you can ask yourself are listed below. The most important thing is to be totally honest.

WHAT IS GOING RIGHT

I have a lot of friends
I have a decent job and people like the work that I do.
Others can count on me; I'm dependable.
I have a reasonable amount of intelligence.
I have no major financial difficulties: I'm secure.
My wife/husband and I get along fairly well.
I am healthy.
My belief in a higher power gives me a kind of center in my life.

WHAT IS GOING WRONG

I seem to have a very negative attitude.
I get dependent on others much too easily.
My life seems boring too much of the time.
I am afraid to take risks.
I am not being honest.
I am not being open-minded.
I am not trying.
I think I am better than others.
I am not getting enough rest.

LIST WHAT IS GOING RIGHT
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________

LIST WHAT IS GOING WRONG
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________

Use the guide above and take some time to start writing your personal inventory. Be honest and sincere with yourself as you write this out and make sure to list both of your positive and negative traits. Try to answer all of the above questions in detail and you will be able to get a better view on how your life is growing.

Recovery is all about progress and over time in recovery if we continue to take an honest inventory on a regular basis we will begin to see our own progress and growth in black and white on paper. Recovery does happen and it happens every day.

Remember, "Recovery is a Journey.... Not a Destination!"


Personal Inventory in Recovery "Nothing Changes, if Nothing Changes!"