Doing a personal inventory is an important part of maintaining your sobriety and recovery. In fact, Step 10 suggests you do it regularly. But just how do you do it?
In The Recovery Book (page 362), Dr. Al suggests asking yourself a number of specific questions, all sorted into our familiar Recovery Zone System categories.
Read through the questions below, or download a printer-friendly version with space for writing.
Recovery Activities
- Did I have a plan for the day, and did I follow it?
- With whom did I spend most of my time?
- Where did I spend my time?
- Did anything threaten my sobriety recently? What?
- What specific work did I do on my recovery program (attending meetings, doing meditations, reading fellowship materials, or listening to recordings, etc.)?
- Is my attitude toward recovery constructive?
- What did I accomplish recently in regard to my recovery? Is there anything I wish I had done that I didn’t do? What could I have done differently?
- What did I accomplish recently in regard to my spirituality? Is there anything I wish I had done that I didn’t do? What could I have done differently?
- What do I need to add to my recovery activities in the future?
Relationships, Recreation, and Sober Socializing
- Was I honest in all my dealings?
- Have I been fair in all my interactions with others? Were there situations where I was wrong or unreasonable? Did I make amends?
- What good things happened? How did I react to them?
- Did any bad things happen? What were they? How did I react?
- What did I accomplish recently in regard to my relationships? Is there anything I wish I had done that I didn’t do? What could I have done differently?
- What did I accomplish recently in regard to my recreational and social activities? Is there anything I wish I had done that I didn’t do? What could I have done differently?
- What could I do in the future to improve these areas of my life?
Education, Career, and Finances
- What good things happened? How did I react to them?
- Did any bad things happen? What were they? How did I react?
- What did I accomplish recently in regard to my education, career, and finances? Is there anything I wish I had done that I didn’t do? What could I have done differently?
- What could I do in the future to improve these areas of my life?
Physical and Mental Health
- What good things happened? How did I react to them?
- Did any bad things happen? What were they? How did I react?
- What did I accomplish recently in regard to my physical and mental health? What would I like to have done that I didn’t do? What would I have done differently?
- What could I do in the future to improve these areas of my life?
Recovery Zones
- What Recovery Zone am I in today?
- Are there any reasons or signs I need to move back to a higher-risk Recovery Zone tomorrow or soon? What do I need to do to prepare for that or, if possible, avoid it?
- Are there any signs I am moving forward toward a lower-risk Recovery Zone? Is there anything more I can do now to help myself move in that direction?
- Should I move to a new Recovery Zone soon? Am I ready?
