One Day Training Manual - Recovery International

TRAINER’S
MANUAL
Recovery International One Day Training
JANUARY 2014
© C O P Y R I G H T 2 0 1 4 , A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D TO R E C O V E R Y I N T E R N AT I O N A L .
June 1, 2014
Dear Recovery International Leaders, Colleagues and Friends,
We are delighted to provide you with this copy of Recovery International’s new, standardized, One Day
Training Manual.
This One Day Training Manual is designed for group leaders and potential leaders; newcomers
to Recovery International (RI); veteran RI members, their families and friends, and mental health
professionals.
The purpose of this training is to provide attendees with information to sharpen and enhance their
understanding and practice of RI. It will provide attendees with a better understanding of the basics
of the Recovery International (RI) Method, including the basic concepts, tools, example format, and
meeting structure. The goal is to prepare attendees to fully participate in RI meetings and to become
more effective group leaders, whether it is an RI-Traditional or RI-Discovery meeting.
The Manual is divided into 3 sections: Modules 1-8 contain the training presentation; Appendix
A contains Optional Training Activities, and Appendix B contains Training Copies and Participant
Handouts.
The agenda is flexible and can be adapted to fit the timeframe and setting that work best for your needs.
Thus the material may also be used for Area Leader’s meetings, weekly group meetings, presentations
and other informational events.
If you need additional copies of the Manual, you may make copies yourself or your Area Leader/Team
may do so. You may also order extra Manuals from Headquarters at a price of $15/per copy. Also
enclosed is a letter from our Executive Director with copyright approval. If you want to make a copy of
the Manual, please take this letter with you. You may copy all or portions of the Manual.
A downloadable copy of the Manual will also be posted on the Leader’s website at: http://www.
recoveryinternational.org/leaders.asp.
Please contact us if you have any questions. And remember to endorse for all your efforts to share the
RI Method with anyone – anywhere – anytime. Without you we couldn’t do it – many thanks!
Sarah Grant Reid
Chair, RI Program Committee
Member, RI Board of Directors
105 W. Adams St., Ste. 2940
Chicago, IL 60603
[email protected]
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Toll-free: 866-221-0302
www.recoveryinternational.org
June 1, 2014
To: RI Group Leaders, Colleagues & Friends of RI
From: Christine Lewis, Executive Director
RE: Recovery International One Day Training Manual Copyright
Per Recovery International, this letter grants you permission to copy the entire Recovery
International One Day Training Manual or any part of the Manual as necessary. If you
need additional copies at $15 per copy, you can send a request to Headquarters at
[email protected] or call 1-866-221-0302.
Thank you,
Christine Lewis
Executive Director
Recovery International
105 W. Adams St., Ste. 2940
Chicago, IL 60603
[email protected]
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Toll-free: 866-221-0302
www.recoveryinternational.org
Content
Welcome & Introductions: Overview/Purposes/Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2
Module 1: Introduction to Recovery International. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4
Module 2: Temper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14
Module 3: Tools and Spotting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 28
Module 4: The Example Format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 34
Module 5: Environment and Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 38
Module 6: Other Recovery International Concepts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 44
Module 7: Recovery International Meeting Parts and Group Leaders Guide. . . Page 50
Module 8: Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 62
APPENDIX A: Optional Training Activities:
Activity #1 - Module 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . “Introducing the Tools”
Activity #2 - Module 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18. . . . . . . . . . . “Temper”
Activity #3 - Module 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 20. . . . . . . . . . . “What Triggers Temper”
Activity #4 - Module 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 25. . . . . . . . . . . “Symptoms/Averageness”
APPENDIX B: Training Copies:
Sample Agenda
For Trainers: Master Handout List - Listed by Module
For Trainers and each Participant: List of Handouts for Participants
For Trainers and each Participant: Training Session Handouts (26 pages)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|1|
Training Manual
Purpose
This training is designed for newcomers to Recovery International (RI); veteran RI members; group
leaders and potential leaders; families and friends, and mental health professionals.
The purpose of this training is to provide attendees with information to sharpen and enhance their
understanding and practice of RI. It will provide attendees with a better understanding of the RI
Method, the basics of the Recovery International (RI) Method, including the basic concepts, tools,
example format, and meeting structure. The goal is to prepare attendees to fully participate in
RI meetings and to become more effective group leaders, whether it be an RI-Traditional or RIDiscovery meeting.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
•• Describe the purposes and benefits of Recovery International.
•• Understand and use basic RI language.
•• Use some basic RI tools to drop temper in their daily lives.
•• Present and spot on examples in the standard RI format.
•• Feel comfortable participating in RI meetings.
This training is designed for groups of between four and 20 participants.
Trainers
These training sessions should be conducted only by Recovery International trainers or by RI group
leaders and agency or institution staff members who have been trained by RI trainers. The program
is designed to be conducted by a trainer and an optional co-trainer.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|2|
Training Manual
Program Organization
This one day training session is divided into 8 modules:
1. Introduction to Recovery International (45 minutes)
2. Temper - Part I & Part II (30 minutes each = 1 hour) (Module 2)
3. Tools and Spotting (30 minutes) (Module 3)
4. The Example Format (30 minutes) (Module 4)
5. Environments and Control (30 minutes) (Module 5)
6. Other Recovery International Concepts (1.5 hours) (Module 6)
7. Recovery International Meeting Parts (45 minutes) (Module 7)
8. Review/RI Jeopardy (30 minutes) (Module 8)
This session is designed to be completed in an eight hour timeframe (see sample agenda pg. iB)
and includes a one hour lunch break and an additional two, 15 minute breaks.
The agenda is flexible. Some groups cut down the number of breaks; some are prepared to
have a “working lunch”. The agenda can be adapted to fit the timeframe and setting that work best
for each participant.
Materials Needed
To conduct this training, it is recommended that you have the following materials:
•• One copy of this Trainer’s Guide for each trainer.
•• One copy of the Handouts for Participants for each participant.
•• One copy of each of the following books by Dr. Abraham Low:
»» Mental Health Through Will Training
»» Manage Your Fear, Manage Your Anger
»» Peace versus Power in the Family
»» Selections from Dr. Low’s Works
»» RI - Discovery Workbook
»» The Wisdom of Dr. Low
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|3|
Training Manual
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION TO RECOVERY INTERNATIONAL
Objectives
Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
•• Explain what to expect at a Recovery International meeting.
•• Describe what Recovery International (RI) is.
•• Explain why the RI Method works.
•• Identify the three actions that lead to success.
Materials Needed
•• Module 1 of this Trainer’s Guide.
•• The Sessions Agenda
•• The following pages in the Participant’s handouts:
»» “What to Expect at a Recovery International Meeting” (page 1 & 2)
»» “About Recovery International” (page 3)
»» “Three Actions That Lead to Success in RI” (page 4 & 5)
•• (Optional) The following activity in Appendix A:
•• “Activity 1: Introducing the Tools”
Timing
45 minutes
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|4|
Training Manual
Content
What to Do
What to Say
WELCOME the participants.
We are happy to welcome you to Recovery International
Training: an introduction/review of Recovery
International and the RI Self-Help Method.
INTRODUCE yourselves.
(Provide your names.)
Refer participants to their
Participants Handouts.
Your Participant’s Handouts contains the basic
information we will be discussing during this program
as well as places to take notes and worksheets you will
use to complete program activities.
INTRODUCE Recovery
International by explaining: .
To briefly introduce our organization:
•• RI was founded in 1937 - we’re now more than
76 years old
(fill in year as appropriate)
•• Recovery International is a self-help mental
health program based on the work of Abraham
Low, M.D., who was a neuropsychiatrist at the
University of Illinois.
•• RI offers its members a low-cost method to
regain and maintain their emotional health by
using Dr. Low’s practical method of “mental
health through will training.”
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|5|
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
REFER participants to
Participant’s Handouts:
“What to Expect at a
Recovery International
Meeting” & FAQ: (p. 1& 2)
PRESENT the guidelines and
other information concerning
meeting participation by
reading and explaining the
points in the Participant’s
Handouts.
Please turn to the Participant’s Handouts page
titled “What to Expect at a Recovery International
Meeting”
and “Frequently Asked Questions (pages 1 & 2).
To help you know what to expect during this training
and at Recovery International meetings, here are a few
guidelines and other bits of information:
•• Meetings – including these training sessions –
will start and end on time.
•• Please turn off your cell phones, pagers, and
other communication devices.
•• Meetings are facilitated by leaders trained to
demonstrate the Recovery International Method.
•• A Recovery International meeting is a safe place
to share. We ask that all personal information
disclosed during meetings be held in strict
confidence.
•• All Recovery International meetings follow
a standard, structured format – which you’ll
become familiar with during these training
sessions.
•• Written information will be distributed during
these sessions to help you understand and
participate during RI meetings. Additional RI
literature, membership information and materials
will also be available at each meeting.
•• You may take notes during any portion of an
RI meeting – including during these sessions
– except during the giving of an example of a
personal situation. We’ll remind you when note
taking is not permitted.
•• We encourage you to sit with the group and to
participate. Until you are ready to participate,
simply say “I pass” when called upon.
•• We listen quietly and respectfully when others
are reading and speaking.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|6|
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
CONTINUE explaining
the guidelines and other
information concerning
meeting participation.
•• You will have opportunities to ask questions or
make comments – both during these sessions
and at Recovery International meetings.
•• We keep comments brief in order to have time
for all to participate.
•• We do not use offensive language.
•• We don’t offer advice, criticize, judge, analyze, or
make negative comments.
•• We don’t discuss politics, sex, religion, or legal
issues during our meetings.
•• Our members are not mental health experts
or trained professionals. We are people who
practice the RI self-help techniques. We don’t
diagnose, comment, or advise on diagnoses,
treatment plans, or medications.
•• Drinking any non-alcoholic beverage is permitted
during a meeting and during these sessions, but
eating is restricted to the last portion of regular
meetings and to specifically identified portions of
these training sessions.
ASK FOR and ANSWER
any questions from the
participants.
Are there any questions about these guidelines?
REFER participants to
Participant’s Handouts:
Let’s review the schedule for this program.
(Answer questions; then continue with the next topic.)
Training Session Agenda cover page
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Please turn to the Training Session Agenda - cover
handout
Recovery International
|7|
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
REFER participants to
Participant’s Handouts:
Please turn to the page in your Participant’s
Handouts titled “About Recovery International”
(page 3).
“About Recovery
International” (p. 3)
DIRECT the participants to
read the information in the
Participant’s Handouts..
Take a couple of minutes to read this information to
learn more about Recovery International.
ALLOW a couple of minutes
for participants to read the
information.
EMPHASIZE the key points in
the reading.
Key points to remember about Recovery International
are that:
• RI was the first self-help system aimed at those
suffering from mental and nervous disorders and
symptoms.
• Tens of thousands of people have used and
continue to use the RI Method to live a healthy,
peaceful life.
• Group leaders and facilitators have been
specially trained in order to maintain consistency
in structure and content within a group and from
group to group.
• Consistency is important so that you can go to a
group meeting anywhere and join right in.
• Attending RI meetings does not replace
professional care and therapy.
•• RI deals with symptoms, not diagnoses.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|8|
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
EXPLAIN how people learn
about RI.
RI members are referred to groups in many ways –
by other members, by physicians and therapists, by
agencies and other groups, for example. RI group
leaders are asked to help promote their meetings as
well.
ASK this question.
How did you find out about Recovery International?
(Solicit answers from various participants.)
EXPLAIN why the RI Method
works.
The RI Method has worked and continues to work for
thousands of people – including us.
• It consists of easy-to-learn techniques and tools
for changing the way we react to people and
situations we have no control over.
•• Additionally, members learn how to identify and
manage negative thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and
behaviors that can lead to emotional distress
and related physical symptoms.
ASK all participants to
introduce themselves . AND:
As a way to introduce each other, let’s go around and
give our names – first and last or just first, your choice.
Optional: CONDUCT
activity from Appendix A:
(Optional: conduct “Activity 1: Introducing the Tools”
- Activity 1 in Appendix A to allow the participants to be
introduced to the tools.)
“Activity 1: Introducing
the Tools” (Activity 1 Appendix A)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|9|
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
COMMENT on the benefits of
sticking with the RI Method.
Recovery International can help us determine what do
to with our anger.
People like us who stick with the RI Method are able
to live healthy, productive lives with lower levels of
tension, anger, fear, anxiety, compulsions, neuroses,
and other symptoms.
ASK this question.
What is one thing you’d like to get out of this program?
(Solicit answers from various participants.)
INTRODUCE the three parts
that lead to success.
There are three major types of actions that lead to
success in Recovery International:
• Learning the RI Method.
• Gaining group support.
•• Practicing.
REFER participants to
Participant’s Handouts
pages:
“Three Actions That Lead
to Success in RI” (pages 4
& 5)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Turn to the Participant's Handouts pages titled
“Three Actions That Lead to Success in RI”
and “Three Actions That Lead to Success in RI
(continued)” (pages 4 & 5).
Feel free to take notes as we discuss each of these
actions.
Recovery International
| 10 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
DISCUSS learning the RI
Method.
Let’s start with learning the RI Method. We learn the RI
Method in many ways:
• Attending these training sessions is a good way
to begin the learning process.
• We also learn by reading books written by Dr.
Low and other materials that provide us with the
vocabulary, tools, and steps we need to use the
RI Method successfully.
• A prime way we learn is from attending regular
Recovery International meetings, where we read
selections from Dr. Low’s writings and learn from
examples given by members of how they are
applying the RI Method when dealing with the
stresses of everyday life that trigger distressing
symptoms and impulses.
DISCUSS gaining group
support.
We gain group support primarily from attending weekly
RI meetings.
• At RI meetings we can report and get feedback
on our own efforts in applying the RI Method
to help change our thoughts and control our
impulses in reaction to normal everyday nonemergency situations that we call “trivialities.”
Peer-to-Peer Support
• We also can provide feedback and support
to others as they give examples of their use
of the RI tools to help change their thoughts
and control their impulses in reaction to trivial
situations.
• As RI meeting attendees, we are all learning from
each other – no matter how experienced we are,
there is always something more to learn.
• At RI meetings:
• We don’t teach, we demonstrate.
• We don’t judge, we support each others’ efforts.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 11 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
DISCUSS practicing the RI
Method.
And that brings us to the last action that leads to
success – practice.
• As with everything, the more we practice
applying the RI techniques and tools to help
change our thoughts and control our impulses,
the better we get at doing so.
• As you attend and participate in meetings and
learn to apply the RI techniques, you will begin to
see your challenges in a different light.
• For some people this begins to happen after
just a few meetings; for others it can take a few
months.
• At meetings you will see people in different
phases of regaining and maintaining their mental
health.
• It’s the effort of using the RI Method that we
focus on, not the results.
•• We are not trying to be perfect; we are just trying
to do the best we can to recognize what triggers
our distressing thoughts and impulses and to
apply the RI techniques that allow us to remain
calm and not work ourselves up.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 12 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
DISCUSS the length of
participation in RI.
How long participants attend RI meetings varies.
• Participation in RI is inexpensive. Participants
can continue attending RI meetings for as long
as needed.
• Most people attend for at least several months
to learn and get support while they learn to use
the RI Method – and then continue to use the
RI Method in their daily lives even if they don’t
attend regular RI meetings.
• Many people continue to attend RI meetings long
after they’ve learned to successfully manage
their stress, tension, anger, and fears to offer
support to others and to continue to receive
support when needed.
•• Some, like us, go on to lead groups, start new
groups, and train other members to lead groups.
CONCLUDE this module by
asking for final questions.
Are there any questions before we go on?
(Answer questions; then continue with the next module.)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 13 |
Training Manual
MODULE 2
TEMPER
Objectives
Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
•• Identify mental health and the ability to live a peaceful life as the supreme goals.
•• Explain the importance of language in the Recovery International (RI) program.
•• Explain the meaning of angry temper and fearful temper.
•• Define the concepts of trivialities, averageness, and self-endorsement.
Materials Needed
•• Module 2 of this Trainer’s Guide.
•• The following pages in the Participant’s Handouts:
»» “The Two Faces of Temper” (page 6)
»» “What is Temperamental Language?” - (page 7)
»» “The Power of Self-Endorsement” (page 8)
»» “Averageness” (page 9)
•• (Optional) The following activities in the Appendix A:
»» Activity 2: “Temper” - Appendix A
»» Activity 3: “What Triggers Temper” - Appendix A
»» Activity 4: “Symptoms/Averageness” - Appendix A
Timing
Part I: 30 minutes
Part II: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 14 |
Training Manual
Content
What to Do
What to Say
ASK the participants to
identify goals.
Think about two or three long-term or short-term goals
you have – things you’d like to achieve in the next few
months or years – for example, maybe you want to go
back to school or get a new job or travel somewhere
you’ve never been or take up a new sport or hobby.
ALLOW time for the
participants to write out their
goals.
ASK the participants to
identify symptoms that
interfere with these goals.
Now think about symptoms and emotional issues you
have that might affect your ability to achieve your goals
– for example, maybe you’d like to travel to Hawaii,
but you are afraid to fly, or maybe you’d like to find a
new job, but your hands start shaking and you have
trouble breathing during job interviews. Symptoms can
be physical, like sweaty palms, or mental, like racing
thoughts.
ALLOW time for the
participants to write down
their symptoms.
ASK for volunteers to share
their goals and symptoms.
What are some of your goals and the symptoms and
issues that might affect your ability to achieve them?
(Solicit responses from several participants.)
IDENTIFY the common
goals Recovery International
members work towards.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
For RI members, mental health and living a peaceful life
are the common goals that we all work on achieving.
We each have different individual goals that we focus
on as well.
Recovery International
| 15 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
INTRODUCE the importance
of language to the RI Method.
As you may have already noticed, Recovery
International has a language of its own.
•• Specific meanings are assigned to certain terms.
•• You’ve already heard a few words – for example,
we’ve used the term “triviality.”
ASK someone to explain the
meaning of “triviality.”
What does “triviality” mean to Recovery International
members?
(Solicit the following answer, providing it if not given:
- Everyday activities or events, non-emergencies, not
moral, legal, or ethical issues.)
EXPLAIN the purposes of the
RI language.
The RI language serves a number of purposes:
•• It is designed so that harmful thoughts can be
replaced with helpful ones.
•• We avoid words that exaggerate events, are
fearful, are judgmental, or are diagnostic.
•• Recovery language is designed to provide
security and help us not work ourselves up.
•• Our language is universal to all members and
helps ensure that meetings are a safe place for
everyone.
Let’s talk a little more about how the RI language helps
us deal with some of our common problems, such as
anxiety, depression, and compulsions – how it helps
us replace harmful thoughts with positive ones and not
work ourselves up.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 16 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
DISCUSS symptomatic idiom
and how it leads to vicious
cycles.
In RI we learn that our symptoms speak to us. Dr.
Low calls this the “symptomatic idiom.” “Idiom" is just
another word for “language” or “way of speaking.”
Usually, we just say “thoughts of danger” or “anxiety”
instead of using the more complicated term,
“symptomatic idiom.”
For many of us, thoughts of danger, or feelings of
anxiety, make us tense, and tension causes symptoms.
The symptoms then scare us, causing more anxiety and
more symptoms in what becomes an almost endless
vicious cycle resulting in chronic anxiety, panic, and
feelings of helplessness. For example:
•• Physical symptoms such as headaches and
dizzy spells tell us that we are in danger of
becoming sick; as these symptoms make us
more anxious, we get into a vicious cycle that
leads to a fear of physical collapse.
CONTINUE discussing
symptomatic idiom and how
it leads to vicious cycles.
•• Likewise, mental symptoms, such as racing
thoughts and hearing voices, lead to a fear of
mental collapse.
•• Compulsions speak of some vague danger that
will result if we don’t act on the compulsion.
Eventually, as the vicious cycle continues, we develop
the fear of a permanent handicap – the belief that we
will never get well and cannot help ourselves.
ASK about the participants’
nervous symptoms.
Can you think of a nervous symptom that has made
you feel frightened or helpless?
(Solicit responses from several participants.)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 17 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
EXPLAIN how the RI
language can be used to
help participants cope with
symptoms.
In RI, we learn that nervous symptoms are simply a
harmless expression of a nervous imbalance. They
cause us a lot of discomfort, but they are never
dangerous.
We learn to use the language of RI to cope with our
symptoms. For example:
•• When I find myself becoming nervous about
going to a party where I won’t know many
people, I think about what I’ve learned in RI –
that “anticipation is often worse than realization.”
I remember other times when I’ve met new
people and had an enjoyable time.
•• When I feel helpless and think I will never get
well, I remind myself that I can get well, because,
as I’ve learned through RI: “There are no
hopeless cases.”
I use the language of RI to help me change my negative
thoughts to positive ones.
Optional: CONDUCT
Activity from Appendix A:
“Activity 2: Temper”
(see Appendix A)
REFER participants to
Participant's Handouts
page:
“The Two Faces of Temper”
(p. 6)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
(Optional: conduct “Activity 2: Temper” - in
Appendix A - to demonstrate how prevalent temper
is and to introduce the tool “endorse for effort, not
just for performance.”)
Now let’s discuss one of the most important and basic
RI terms – temper.
Please turn to the Participant’s Handouts page titled
“The Two Faces of Temper” (page 6).
Recovery International
| 18 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
INTRODUCE the concept of
“temper.”
A key concept is the concept of temper:
•• In Recovery International, “temper” refers to
negative judgments in everyday events.
•• These judgments do not apply to moral, ethical,
or legal issues – only to the trivial activities of
daily living.
•• RI terminology refers to two types of temper –
angry temper and fearful temper.
DEFINE angry temper.
Angry temper:
•• Is a negative judgment directed against another
person or situation.
•• Can take the form of resentment, impatience,
indignation, disgust, or hatred, for example.
ASK for other forms of angry
temper.
What other forms of angry temper can you think of?
(Solicit answers from various participants.)
ASK for examples of angry
temper in the participants’
lives.
What examples of angry temper can you think of from
your life – examples of everyday situations when you
have become angry or impatient or irritated at others,
for instance?
(Solicit examples from various participants.)
DEFINE fearful temper.
Fearful temper, on the other hand:
•• Is a negative judgment directed against yourself.
•• Causes you to become fearful or angry at
yourself.
•• Can take the form of discouragement,
preoccupation, embarrassment, worry,
hopelessness, despair, sense of shame, or
feelings of inadequacy, for example.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 19 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
ASK for other forms of fearful
temper.
What other forms of fearful temper can you think of?
(Solicit answers from various participants.)
ASK for examples of fearful
temper in the participants’
lives.
What examples of fearful temper can you think of from
your life – examples of everyday situations when you
have become angry at yourself or embarrassed or
discouraged, for instance?
(Solicit examples from various participants.)
Optional: CONDUCT
activity from Appendix A:
“Activity 3: What Triggers
Temper” (Appendix A)
(Optional: conduct “Activity 3: What Triggers
Temper” in Appendix A to help the participants
become aware of the types of situations that might
trigger their fearful temper.)
DISCUSS temperamental
deadlocks.
Temper can lead to temperamental deadlocks –
quarreling over who is right and who is wrong in
everyday situations that can result in an angry standoff.
PROVIDE an example of a
temperamental deadlock.
For example, I’m sure we’ve all seen examples in sports
where a player argues with an umpire or referee over a
call the player disagrees with, and neither is willing to
back down.
ASK for examples of
temperamental deadlocks in
the participants’ lives.
Who can describe another example of a temperamental
deadlock you’ve observed or experienced in your
everyday life?
(Solicit examples from various participants.)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 20 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
DISCUSS temperamental
language.
Temper can also lead to or be the result of
temperamental language – language that is alarming
or defeating or results in exaggerated, negative or
insecure descriptions of experiences.
REFER participants to
Participant’s Handouts
page 7:”What Is
Temperamental Language?”
- If time allows, read and
discuss briefly, or request
that participants read this
later.
PROVIDE examples of
temperamental language.
For example:
•• When I was talking before about thinking
that I’ll never get well, that’s an example of
temperamental language.
•• When someone asks us to do something, and we
immediately think, “I can’t do that; it’s too hard,”
that’s an example of temperamental language.
•• Another example of temperamental language
is when someone makes a comment about
something we’ve said or done, and we say or
think, “That person is always criticizing, no
matter what I say or do. That person is never
satisfied.”
END Part I with a break
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Let’s take a break before we continue.
(Advise the participants when they should reconvene.)
Recovery International
| 21 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
Welcome Participants back
and continue with Part II:
Welcome back! - Before the break, we were discussing
temperamental language. Let’s go on with that
discussion and then Part II of this session on “Temper”.
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­
ASK the participants for other
examples of temperamental
language.
Who can give other examples of temperamental
language that you’ve used or heard others use?
GIVE examples how the
RI Method helps deal with
temper.
In RI, we learn to identify temper and substitute secure
language for temperamental language to change the
way we react to and handle situations.
(Solicit examples from various participants.)
•• For example: remember when I was talking
before about becoming nervous about going to
a party where I wouldn’t know many people?
When I described thinking that “anticipation is
often worse than realization” and remembering
other times when I’ve met new people and had an
enjoyable time, that’s an example of substituting
secure language for temperamental language.
•• Another example is when my next door neighbor
plays music too loud, I think “people do things
that annoy us not to annoy us” and realize that the
neighbor probably does not realize how loud the
music is and is not disturbing me on purpose.
CONCLUDE the discussion
of temper with a summary of
how learning the RI Method
helps members control
temperamental reactions.
Learning the Recovery International Method will equip
you with the knowledge and tools to identify – or spot –
temper and control your temperamental reactions.
•• In RI, we learn to avoid working ourselves up into
temper.
•• We learn to be aware of our symptoms of temper
and use secure language to avoid getting into
vicious cycles where accelerating temper and
tenseness increase the length and intensity of
our feelings and sensations, which create more
temper and tenseness and lead to defeatism.
•• We learn that “tempers are frequently uncontrolled
but not uncontrollable” and that “helplessness is
not hopelessness.”
•• We learn that by changing our thoughts, we
can change our feelings and sensations – that
“subjective feelings don’t lead to objective facts”
and that even though our feelings are real, they
are not reliable guides to how we should act.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 22 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
ASK for final questions about
temper.
Are there any final questions about temper before we
go on?
(Answer questions; then continue.)
REFER participants to
Participant's Handouts
page:
Another basic RI concept we’d like to discuss at this
point is self-endorsement.
“The Power of SelfEndorsement” (p. 8)
Turn to the Participant’s Handouts page titled “The
Power of Self-Endorsement” (page 8) and take notes as
we discuss the importance of self-endorsement.
EXPLAIN the meaning of
self-endorsement.
As we practice the RI Method, we endorse ourselves for
any effort.
•• Self-endorsement is a mental pat on the back we
give ourselves for any effort we make to spot our
temper and to control our words and actions.
- ** IMPORTANT!!! -
•• We do not look for endorsement from others;
we endorse ourselves.
EMPHASIZE the importance
of endorsing for effort.
We endorse ourselves for any effort we make to control
how we think and act, whether we are successful or
not.
It’s the effort we focus on, not the result.
DIRECT the participants to
think about what they can
endorse themselves for
today.
Think about some efforts you can endorse yourself for
today – for example, for having the courage to come to
this meeting or for volunteering a comment.
Write down some ways you can endorse yourself in the
space provided on the handout.
ALLOW time for the
participants to write down
ways they can endorse
themselves.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 23 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
ASK for some examples of
what the participants are
endorsing themselves for.
Who would like to share what you are endorsing
yourselves for today?
REFER participants to
Participant's Handouts
page:
A final Recovery International concept we’d like to
emphasize today is averageness.
“Averageness” (p. 9)
EXPLAIN the concept of
averageness.
(Solicit responses from various participants.)
Turn to the Participant’s Handouts page titled
“Averageness” (page 9) and take notes as we discuss
what averageness means to RI members.
In RI, averageness is fine.
•• Average does not mean mediocre.
•• It means balanced.
•• It means that we do not try to be exceptional.
•• We understand that:
»» Everyone experiences similar trivialities.
»» Everyone has temper.
»» Everyone gets tense and nervous to a degree.
•• It’s average to feel the impulse to lash out in
anger or to avoid what we fear.
•• Our experiences are average, not exceptional,
and our feelings and sensations are not
exceptional either.
•• It’s only our tendency to work them up that
makes them seem exceptional to us.
•• We also do not put pressure on ourselves to
always be able to react perfectly – no one can.
•• We want to set realistic goals – what we can
achieve, not what’s impossible to achieve.
DISCUSS the concept
of each person having a
different average.
We each have our own average. For example, some
people are early risers and do their best thinking in
the morning. That is their average. Others do their best
thinking in the afternoon or late at night. That is their
average.
We are all good at some things and not so good at
others. Different people are good at different things. In
this way, too, we each have our own average
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 24 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
GIVE an example of one
thing you are good at and
one thing you are not so
good at.
For example, I’m good at (give an example of something
you are good at), but I’m not good at (give an example
of something you are not good at).
ASK this question.
What is one thing you are good at and one thing you
are not so good at?
(Solicit responses from several participants.)
Optional: CONDUCT
activity from Appendix A:
“Activity 4: Symptoms/
Averageness” Appendix A
(Optional: conduct “Activity 4: Symptoms/
Averageness” in Appendix A to illustrate the
concept of averageness.)
EMPHASIZE the importance
of effort.
It’s not really how good we are at something that’s
important. What is important is our effort – that we try
to do our best.
TIE in the concepts
of endorsement and
averageness.
In RI we endorse ourselves for our efforts to change
our thoughts and control our impulses.
Any degree of effort, any attempt to use the RI
techniques and tools that you’ll be learning to spot
our symptoms and control our temper is worthy of
endorsement.
We try to drop the judgment – of ourselves and others.
ASK for questions about
self-endorsement and
averageness.
Are there any questions about self-endorsement or
averageness?
(Answer questions; then continue.)
CONCLUDE the module by
reviewing the basic concepts
covered in the module.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Let’s take a moment now to review what we’ve
discussed so far.
Recovery International
| 25 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
REVIEW the concept of
temper by asking this
question.
We’ve talked about two types of temper. What are they,
and how are they different from each other?
(Look for this response:
•• Angry temper – negative judgments directed
against another person or situation.
•• Fearful temper – negative judgments directed
against oneself.)
REVIEW the concepts of
symptomatic idiom, vicious
cycles, and temperamental
language.
We’ve also talked about how using the language of
Recovery International helps us deal with our nervous
symptoms and our angry and fearful temper so that we
don’t get into vicious cycles.
How does using the language of RI help us avoid giving
in to the language of symptoms and temperamental
language?
(Look for this response:
•• It allows us to substitute secure thoughts for
insecure thoughts.)
REVIEW the concept of selfendorsement by asking this
question.
What do we mean by self-endorsement?
(Look for this response:
•• Self-praise for any positive effort, regardless of
the result.)
REVIEW the concept of
averageness by asking this
question.
What do we mean when we say that most of our
experiences and symptoms are average?
(Look for this response:
•• Most people have experienced them and most
people would react in similar ways to some
degree.)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 26 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
DIRECT the participants to
endorse themselves for their
efforts so far.
You’ve now learned some of the key RI concepts and
language.
I think we should all endorse ourselves for our efforts
to this point.
CONCLUDE the review by
asking for final questions.
Are there any final questions about these concepts?
(Answer questions.)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 27 |
Training Manual
MODULE 3
TOOLS & SPOTTING
Objectives
Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
•• Define the terms “spot” and “spotting” as they relate to the Recovery International Method.
•• Explain what the tools are and how they are used in spotting temper.
•• Begin to use the tools to help them drop temper.
Materials Needed
•• Module 3 of this Trainer’s Guide.
•• The following pages in the Participant’s Handouts:
»» “Spotting” (page 10)
»» “Some Basic RI Tools” (Tools List: pages 11 & 12)
»» “Applying RI Tools to Drop Temper” (page 13)
»» “Constructing an RI Example: A Worksheet” ((page 14)
Timing
30 minutes
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 28 |
Training Manual
Content
What to Do
What to Say
INTRODUCE the topic of
spotting.
As we’ve said previously, using the Recovery
International Self-Help Method helps you change your
thoughts and control your impulses in order to reduce
nervous symptoms.
We often are not aware of what it is that is causing our
symptoms.
We need to learn to spot these negative thoughts and
impulses.
REFER participants to
Participant’s Handouts page:
Turn to the page in your Participant’s Handouts titled
“Spotting” (page 10).
“Spotting” (p. 10)
DEFINE the term “spot.”
In RI, we use the term “spot” two ways.
••
“To spot” means to identify when we are having
a temperamental reaction or symptom and to
remember an RI concept and use it to drop our
temper or manage our symptoms.
•• A “spot” or “tool” is a short sentence that we
use to help us remember an RI concept and
enable us to drop our temper and manage our
symptoms.
EXPLAIN how we learn and
use spots.
There are many spots, or tools.
•• We learn them through practice.
•• Different tools apply to different situations.
•• Different tools have different meanings to
different people.
•• There is no right or wrong way to use the tools;
whatever works for you is appropriate.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 29 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
REFER participants to Participant's Handouts page:
Please turn to the page in your Participant’s Handouts
titled “Some Basic RI Tools” (page 12).
“Some Basic RI Tools”
(p. 11 & 12) (Tools List)
INTRODUCE the tools list.
This page lists a few of the basic RI tools. They come from
three books written by Dr. Abraham Low:
•• Mental Health Through Will Training (MH)
•• Manage Your Fears, Manage Your Anger (MYF)
•• Selections from Dr. Low’s Works (SEL)
ASK the participants to read
the tools out loud.
Let’s go around the group and read each tool out loud.
(Select a different person to read each tool. Continue
until each tool has been read out loud.)
(If time permits!)
EXPLAIN that there are many,
many more tools.
As the title says, this is a “Sampling of Tools & Terms”.
There are many, many more tools to be found in the writings
of Dr. Low.
As you begin to attend RI meetings, you’ll learn more of
them by listening to examples members give of how they
are applying the RI concepts and through short readings
from the books that begin each meeting.
EXPLAIN how to use the
tools list.
For now, you’ll use this list of tools to practice using the
RI Method.
(Discuss how long to use
the Tools list - not forever
& always - designed to help
newcomers)
When you spot yourself in temper, you’ll use one or
more of the tools to change your thoughts and drop
your temper.
You’ll find, as we all do, that certain tools are more
helpful to you than others, and you’ll use those tools
the most.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 30 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
EMPHASIZE again that there
is no right or wrong in which
tools to use.
As was explained before, there is no right or wrong
in which tools to apply – whatever works for you is
appropriate.
INTRODUCE some examples
of how to use the tools.
Here are some examples of the way we apply the tools
to handle trivial everyday situations.
PROVIDE an example of your
use of the tools.
(Give an example of a situation and how you used the
tools to drop your temper – use the four-part example
format without identifying the example parts.)
(IF TIME ALLOWS)
ASK the participants to
identify other appropriate
tools for the example.
What other tools from your list might also have been
appropriate to help drop the temper in this situation?
(Solicit appropriate tools from several participants.)
COMMENT positively on the
activity.
Be sure to endorse yourselves for your effort in
applying the tools to our sample situations.
ASK for questions about
using the tools.
Are there any questions about using the tools before
we go on?
(Answer questions; then continue.)
REFER participants to
Participant's Handouts
page:
“Applying RI Tools to Drop
Temper” (p. 13)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Now it’s time for you to begin to practice applying the
tools to trivialities in your own lives.
Turn to the page in your Participant’s Handouts titled
“Applying RI Tools to Drop Temper” (page 13).
Recovery International
| 31 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
DIRECT the participants to
complete the activity.
Take a few minutes to think of a couple of different
trivial everyday situations in your life recently when you
have found yourself in temper.
Summarize these situations briefly in the left column of
the worksheet. Then identify the tempers – angry and
fearful – in the middle column.
In the right column, write down one or more tools
from the tools list that you might have applied to that
situation to help you drop your temper.
IMPORTANT
Please remember that both types of tempers – angry
AND fearful – are in all examples. One is stronger than
the other, but both are present and need to be spotted.”
ALLOW time for the
participants to write down
their situations, type of
temper, and tools.
DISCUSS the activity.
Who would like to describe one of your situations, the
type of temper you experienced, and the tools you’ve
identified to help you drop your temper?
(Solicit responses from various participants.)
COMMENT positively on the
activity.
See how simple it is to identify appropriate tools to use
in the trivial situations where you experience angry or
fearful temper in your own lives?
Be sure to endorse yourselves for your beginning
efforts in applying the tools to your own situations.
ENCOURAGE the use of the
tools.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Now that you have your tools list, try to spot your
temperamental reactions when faced with the trivialities
of everyday life, and think of appropriate tools from the
list to help you drop your temper.
Recovery International
| 32 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
ENCOURAGE the participants
to document their efforts.
REFER participants to
Participant’s Handouts
page:
“Constructing an RI
Example: A Worksheet” (p. 14)
CONCLUDE this module by
asking for final questions.
When you have time, jot down a summary of the
situation and the tools you used so that you can report
on it in these sessions or at an RI meeting.
This worksheet is especially good for beginners, but
also helps people prepare examples for meetings and
practice between meetings. It’s useful to have copies
on hand and encourage meeting attendees to use
them.
Are there any final questions about the use of tools?
(Answer questions; then continue with the next module.)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 33 |
Training Manual
MODULE 4
THE EXAMPLE FORMAT
Objectives Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
•• Identify the four steps of an example.
•• Spot on examples.
Materials Needed
•• Module 4 of this Trainer’s Guide.
•• The following pages in the Participant’s Handouts:
»» “Outline of How an Example Should Be Constructed” (page 15 & 16)
»» “Some Basic RI Tools” (pages 11 & 12)
Timing
30 minutes
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 34 |
Training Manual
Content
What to Do
What to Say
INTRODUCE the module.
The major portion of each Recovery International
meeting – and the way we report on and practice using
the RI Method and tools – is the presentation of very
structured examples.
These examples illustrate our use of the RI Method
to deal with trivialities of our daily life that result in a
temperamental reaction.
REFER participants to
Participant's Handouts
page:
Turn to the page in your Participant’s Handouts
titled “Outline of How an Example Should Be
Constructed” (page 15 & 16).
“Outline of How an
Example Should Be
Constructed” (p. 15 & 16)
This sheet lists each of the four steps.
ASK different participants to
read each step.
Let’s begin by reading each of the steps out loud.
EXPLAIN why the example is
structured.
This four-step format was designed by Dr. Low to
allow us to easily focus on and practice the RI Method
both at meetings and in our regular lives away from
meetings.
(Select a different participant to read each of the steps
on the page.)
It keeps us disciplined when we are sharing so that we
report concisely and simply instead of wandering all
over the place.
EXPLAIN further how the
example structure helps RI
members.
Read the 4 steps of the
outline for each example.
This helps keep people on
track and helps newcomers
learn and participate.
The example structure helps us to:
•• Report rather than complain.
•• Note our symptoms.
•• Check on our tempers.
•• Use the tools to change our thoughts
•• See our progress.
•• Endorse ourselves for our efforts.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 35 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
DISCUSS the process of
becoming familiar with the
example format.
Learning to give an example simply and clearly in
the four-step sequence is an important part of the RI
Method.
Read the 4 steps of the outline for each example. This
helps keep people on track and helps newcomers learn
and participate.
INTRODUCE the process of
spotting after an example.
** IMPORTANT point
about first time meeting
attendees:
EXPLAIN the spotting
procedure.
After each example other group members spot on
that example by identifying to the group tools that the
example giver used or other tools that could have been
used in addition to the ones mentioned.
1ST time attendees do not give examples, but
participate in the meeting using the Tools List during
the spotting period.
Spotting should last no more than 10 minutes for each
example.
During the spotting on an example:
•• The example giver cannot talk -- it’s as if he or
she goes into a glass box and can hear and see
but not speak.
**Spots are addressed to the example facilitator!!!
•• The spotters refer to the example giver in the
third person – as “he” or “she” or by name, not
as “you” – so that they are talking to the whole
group, like reporters, not just to the person who
gave the example.
•• There is no accusing or defending.
EXPLAIN the purpose of
spotting.
Spots are offered for support and learning.
They provide constructive information only.
The example giver is free to accept or reject the
spotting internally but does not make any comments on
the spots.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 36 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
RESTATE the purpose of
example giving and spotting.
Remember that giving and spotting on examples is not
a “pity party.”
Instead, it is a means of:
•• Reporting on the efforts to apply the RI Method.
•• Providing positive support to others.
•• Learning from the experiences and knowledge of
others.
ASK for questions.
Are there any questions about the example format or
about spotting on examples?
(Answer all questions; then continue.)
CONCLUDE the module.
We’re going to discuss a few more basic Recovery
International concepts.
However, as you use the RI tools to spot your temper
in response to the trivialities of daily life, begin to think
about how you could use the example format to report
on your efforts to the group.
End the session by
announcing the lunch break.
(When announcing the lunch break, advise the
participants when they should reconvene.)
NOTE: As mentioned earlier, some groups may
elect to shorten the lunch break. This is flexible.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 37 |
Training Manual
MODULE 5
ENVIRONMENT & CONTROL
Objectives Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
•• Explain the difference between inner environment and outer environment.
•• Identify which aspects of inner and outer environment you can and cannot control.
Materials Needed
•• Module 5 of this Trainer’s Guide.
•• The following page in the Participant’s Handouts:
»» “Environment Has Two Faces” (page 17)
Timing
30 minutes
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 38 |
Training Manual
Content
What to Do
What to Say
BEGIN the module with
a review of some of the
basic RI concepts covered
previously.
Welcome back.
ASK this question.
First you learned that we make two types of judgments
that lead to temper.
Before we introduce you to some additional Recovery
International concepts, let’s review some of what you’ve
learned so far.
What is the RI term for the judgment that someone else
is wrong?
(Look for this response:
•• Angry temper.)
ASK this question.
What is the RI term for the judgment that you are
wrong?
(Look for this response:
•• Fearful temper.)
ASK this question.
How do we spot and control our temper?
(Look for this response:
•• By applying the RI tools to help us drop our
temper.)
ASK this question.
When we report on our efforts to control our
temperamental reactions, we use a specific example
format. How many steps are in this example format?
(Look for this response:
•• Four.)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 39 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
DIRECT the participants to
endorse themselves for their
efforts.
Very good. Be sure to endorse yourselves for your
efforts in learning/reviewing some of the important
concepts and language of Recovery International.
INTRODUCE the topic of
environment.
Now we’re going to talk about another Recovery
International concept that is very important for you to
understand. This concept involves the environment.
ASK this question.
When we mention the word “environment,” what do you
immediately think this term refers to?
(Look for responses such as:
•• Air
•• Water
•• Pollution
•• Climate
•• Global warming)
REFER participants to
Participant's Handouts
page:
“Environment Has Two
Faces” (p. 17)
DEFINE the term “outer
environment.”
Turn to the page in your Handouts titled
“Environment Has Two Faces” (page 17) and take
notes as we discuss the two faces of environment as
defined by Dr. Low.
Dr. Abraham Low divided the concept of environment
into two parts that have to do with us as individuals.
Outer environment is everything outside yourself –
such as:
•• Places.
•• Other people.
•• Events taking place around us – whether we are
participating in them or not.
•• The past.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 40 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
DEFINE the term “inner
environment.”
Inner environment is everything inside yourself
– such as:
•• Feelings.
•• Sensations.
•• Thoughts.
•• Impulses.
•• Muscles.
INTRODUCE a discussion
of what can and cannot
be controlled in the two
environments.
In RI, we become aware that we only have control over
limited parts of these environments.
ASK this question.
Which of the listed aspects of the outer environment
can we control?
Look for this response:
•• None of them.
DISCUSS what can be
controlled in the outer
environment.
We really don’t have control of what happens in the
outer environment.
•• Much as we’d like to, we really can’t control what
other people think or do, nor can we control the
places and events around us.
•• We certainly can’t control what happened in the
past.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 41 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
GIVE some examples of tools
that help people remember
this and control temper.
When we use the tools to remember that we don’t
control these aspects of our outer environment, we can
do a better job of dropping our temper.
•• For example, when we start to get angry at
a friend for not doing what we expect them
to do, we can remember that “self-appointed
expectations lead to self-induced frustrations”
and that “people do things that annoy us, not
necessarily to annoy us” and not take the friend’s
action or lack of action personally.
•• When we find ourselves feeling anxious about
a trivial everyday situation we are experiencing
that we must continue to endure – for example
being stuck in traffic when we want to get some
place – we can think, “if you can’t change a
situation, you can change your attitude towards
it” and realize that it won’t last forever – we’ll get
there eventually – and that “comfort is a want not
a need.”
* I cannot control outer environment. I can control
my inner environment.
ASK for other examples
of situations involving
temperamental reactions to
outer environment and tools
that might be used to help in
those situations.
What situations involving your outer environment
do you routinely face that cause you to have a
temperamental reaction, and what tools might help you
drop your temper when faced with these situations?
DISCUSS what can be
controlled in the inner
environment.
Now let’s turn to our inner environment.
(Ask for responses from various participants.)
There are some things in our inner environment that we
cannot control, and there are some things in our inner
environment that we can learn to change or control.
The items listed under “inner environment” in your
Participant’s Handouts are divided into two groups.
One represents aspects that we cannot control, and
one represents aspects that we can learn to change or
control.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 42 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
ASK this question.
Which group of listed aspects can we learn to change
or control?
(Look for this response:
•• Thoughts, impulses, and muscles.)
EXPLAIN more about what
we can and cannot control in
our inner environment.
We cannot control our initial feelings and sensations;
they happen whether we want them to or not.
We can learn to change our thoughts, control our
impulses, and command our muscles. For example:
•• We can learn to change our negative thoughts
to more positive ones – to replace insecure
thoughts with secure thoughts.
•• We can learn to stop and think before acting on
our initial impulses – in other words to decide,
plan, and act instead of simply lashing out in
temper without thinking.
•• We can learn to command our muscles to do
what we are afraid to do.
PROVIDE an example or
two illustrating how you
have used the RI Method to
control thoughts, impulses,
and muscles.
Using the RI Method helps us learn to change our
thoughts, control our impulses, and command our
muscles.
(Present one or two examples involving using the
RI Method to change thoughts, control impulses, or
command muscles.
After presenting each example, ask the participants
to spot on the examples by suggesting other tools that
might have been appropriate to use in the situations you
described.)
CONCLUDE this module by
asking for final questions.
Are there any final questions about the inner and outer
environment?
(Answer questions; then continue with the next module.)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 43 |
Training Manual
MODULE 6
OTHER RECOVERY INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS
Objectives Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
•• Explain why comfort is a want not a need.
•• Differentiate between self-mindedness (sovereignty) and group-mindedness (fellowship),
and explain the importance of group-mindedness to the Recovery International process.
•• Identify examples of sabotage, and explain how to avoid sabotaging their efforts to
successfully practice the RI Method.
Materials Needed
•• Module 6 of this Trainer’s Guide.
•• The following page in the Participant’s Handouts:
»» “Comfort and Discomfort” (page 18)
Timing
45 minutes
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 44 |
Training Manual
Content
What to Do
What to Say
INTRODUCE the module.
You’ve learned many of the basic Recovery International
terms and concepts.
However, there are a few more important concepts that
you need to consider.
REFER participants to
Participant’s Handouts
page:
As you’ve studied the tools on Participant’s Handouts
page titled “Some Basic RI Tools” (p. 11 & 12), you
may have noticed that several deal with comfort and
discomfort.
“Some Basic RI Tools”
(p. 11 & 12)
DISCUSS comfort and
discomfort.
In Recovery International, we learn that comfort is a
want, not a need.
•• We may experience discomfort from symptoms
caused by tenseness, and we want relief from
this discomfort.
•• However, we need to learn to bear the
discomfort.
•• These symptoms caused by tenseness or
other types of angry or fearful temper might be
distressing, but they are not dangerous.
•• When we remember the RI tools and convince
ourselves that the symptoms are distressing but
not dangerous and command our muscles to act
against the symptoms, we begin to relax, and the
symptoms disappear.
•• We will never be rid of all discomfort.
•• Fear and tension are a normal or average part of
life.
•• We can reduce symptoms to an average level
by being willing to bear the discomfort of acting
despite our fears.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 45 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
GIVE an example of fear
associated with attending RI
meetings.
For example, when we are faced with doing something
new for the first time – for example, attending RI
meetings – we may experience fearful temper because
being with a group of people we don’t know causes us
symptoms.
By using our will and choosing to bear the discomfort
of going to the meeting, many of us begin to realize
that there is no danger in the discomfort, and we give
ourselves a reason to endorse ourselves for the effort
we’ve made.
REFER participants to
Participant’s Handouts
page:
Turn to the page in your Participant’s Handouts titled
“Comfort and Discomfort” (page 18).
“Comfort and Discomfort”
(p. 18)
INTRODUCE activity.
On this page is space for you to identify one or two
situations that cause you to experience distressing
symptoms, what these symptoms are, and some RI
tools that might help you act in spite of the symptoms.
Take a few minutes to complete this sheet to help
you prepare to act in spite of the discomfort of your
symptoms in the future.
Share what they’ve written!
ASK this question to
conclude the discussion of
comfort and discomfort.
Does anyone have questions about comfort and
discomfort before we go on?
(Answer questions; then continue.)
INTRODUCE the concept of
group-mindedness.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
In Recovery International we also distinguish between
sovereignty – self-mindedness – and fellowship –
group-mindedness.
Recovery International
| 46 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
DISCUSS the importance of
being group-minded.
In order to achieve a peaceful, healthy life, we
sometimes have to stop being self-minded.
•• We must not focus so much on our individual
rights or try to dominate situations or people
around us.
•• Instead, we need to work towards being more
group-minded by thinking about what is best
for our group – our family, our friends, our coworkers, our associates – and act on that basis.
DISCUSS how to react to
self-mindedness in others.
We cannot keep others from being self-minded or from
seeking to dominate us – remember, we cannot control
our outer environment.
However, we can use tools to:
•• Spot it in others and help keep ourselves from
over-reacting to it.
•• Perhaps suggest a more group-minded
approach that will benefit everyone.
ASK for examples relating to
group-mindedness.
Does anyone have an example you could give relating
to using the tools to help you be more group-minded,
maybe in a trivial every-day situation with family or
friends, or to help you keep from over-reacting to selfmindedness in others?
ASK this question to
conclude the discussion of
group-mindedness.
Does anyone have questions about group-mindedness
before we go on?
(Answer questions; then continue.)
INTRODUCE the topic of
sabotage.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
The final topic we want to deal with is sabotage.
Recovery International
| 47 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
REFER participants to
Participant’s Handouts
page:
You’ll find a definition of sabotage on the page in your
Participant’s Handouts titled “Some Basic Recovery
International (RI) Terms” (page 11 & 12).
“Some Basic Recovery
International (RI) Terms”
(p. 11 & 12)
(On Tools List - Page 11)
ASK a participant to read the
definition.
Who would like to read the definition for us?
(Select a participant to read the definition: “When we
ignore or choose not to practice what we have learned
in RI. When we do not do what is best for our mental
health.”)
EXPLAIN more about
sabotage.
Sabotage is anything we do to interfere with our goals
of achieving mental health and a peaceful life.
Examples of sabotage are:
•• Using temperamental language.
•• Avoiding using the RI tools.
•• Diagnosing.
•• Judging right and wrong in every-day trivial
events.
DISCUSS being aware of
sabotage and how to handle
it.
**Sabotage is in ALL
examples - in some shade
or nuance -
We must constantly be aware of when we are
sabotaging our efforts.
When we keep sabotaging our efforts and don’t use the
tools to change our thoughts and control our impulses,
we can find ourselves in a temperamental deadlock or
a vicious cycle.
As we become more aware of what we do to sabotage
ourselves, we can more quickly spot and use the tools
to redirect our thoughts and impulses.
Conversely, the more familiar we become with the RI
tools and the more we practice using them to handle
the trivialities of life, the less we will find ourselves
engaging in sabotage.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 48 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
ASK for an example relating
to sabotage.
Does anyone have an example you could give –
relating to sabotage?
In RI meetings we sometimes give examples where we
haven’t been very successful in dropping our temper,
and we ask others to provide additional spotting for us.
If you have an example where you have been unable
to drop your temper, feel free to give that, and maybe
others can spot sabotage and suggest tools to help
you control your temperamental reaction.
COMMENT on the selfendorsement efforts of the
participants.
You’ve learned and reviewed a lot of RI concepts and
language during these sessions.
I hope you are endorsing yourselves for your efforts to
apply these concepts and use the RI language.
ASK for final questions.
Does anyone have final questions about sabotage or
any of the other topics we’ve covered?
(Answer final questions.)
CONCLUDE the module by
announcing a break.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
If the group decides to continue without a break,
continue with the next module. If taking a break, advise
the participants when they should reconvene.
Recovery International
| 49 |
Training Manual
MODULE 7
RECOVERY INTERNATIONAL MEETING PARTS &
GROUP LEADERS GUIDE
Objectives
Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
••
••
••
*
Identify the parts of a Recovery International meeting.
Explain the purpose of each part of the meeting.
Explain the purpose of the five-minute phone call.
Have a better overview of the Group Leaders’ Guide
Materials Needed
•• Module 7 of this Trainer’s Guide.
•• The following pages in the Participant’s Handouts:
»» “The Parts of a Recovery International Meeting” (page 19)
»» Reading: “Life Consists of Trivialities”(page 20)
»» Group Leaders Guide Index Pages (pages 21-24)
»» Basic Concepts (page 25)
»» “Dictionary of Terms” (page 26)
•• Extra copies of the following handouts:
»» “How an Example Should Be Constructed”
»» “Constructing an RI Example – Worksheet ”
»» “Some Basic RI Tools”
•• One copy of each of the following books by Dr. Abraham Low:
»» Mental Health Through Will Training
»» Manage Your Fear, Manage Your Anger
»» Peace versus Power in the Family
»» Selections from Dr. Low’s Works
»» RI-Discovery Participant’s Workbook
»» Wisdom of Dr. Low
Timing
1 hour
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 50 |
Training Manual
Content
What to Do
What to Say
INTRODUCE the module.
During these sessions, you’ve become familiar with the
major Recovery International concepts.
You’ve been introduced to a number of the tools used
to spot temper.
You’ve also learned how to construct, present, and spot
on four-step examples.
Presenting and spotting on examples comprises the
largest part of each Recovery International meeting.
Let’s spend some time now talking about the parts of
each RI meeting.
DISCUSS the purpose of the
RI meetings.
As mentioned previously, the purpose of the Recovery
International meetings is to provide a safe environment
where group members can learn and practice the RI
Method.
By attending weekly RI meetings, group members
can present examples and gain support through the
spotting of others.
Participants in RI group meetings can also provide
support by spotting on examples given by other group
members.
DESCRIBE how RI meetings
are facilitated.
Every Recovery International meeting is facilitated by
a trained leader who has completed RI group leader
training.
EMPHASIZE the structured
format.
All Recovery International meetings follow the same
format.
This common structure, along with the common RI
language, allows members to attend any meeting
anywhere and feel comfortable.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 51 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
REFER participants to
Participant's Handouts
page:
Turn to the page in your Participant’s Handouts titled
“The Parts of a Recovery International Meeting”
(page 19) and take notes as we discuss the Recovery
International meeting format.
“The Parts of a Recovery
International Meeting”
(p. 19)
EXPLAIN how each meeting
begins.
Each meeting starts with a welcome by the group
leader.
The leader then introduces himself or herself and asks
each member to do the same.
DISCUSS the sign-in sheet.
There is a sign-in sheet that those attending the
meeting are asked to sign. This sign-in sheet serves
several purposes:
•• Having a list of meeting attendees and their
phone numbers allows the leader to contact
group members if a meeting must be cancelled
or changed for some reason.
•• It also enables the leader to call group members
– especially newcomers – after the meeting to
ask if they have questions - if desired
•• The information recorded on the sign-in sheet
also helps us know how many attendees
are newcomers and how many are returning
participants.
If you don’t want to sign in with your name, you can just
pick a symbol and mark it on the sign-in sheet each
time you attend a meeting. This will still allow us to see
how many attendees are returning members and how
many are newcomers.
DISCUSS the reading from
Dr. Low’s books.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
The welcome and introductions are followed by a
reading from one of Dr. Low’s writings.
Recovery International
| 52 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
HOLD UP a copy of each
book as you mention it.
OR mention each book
by name, if it’s not an “inperson” meeting (e.g. phone,
online, etc.)
These readings are taken from one of his books:
•• Mental Health Through Will Training – this is
the primary textbook for learning the Recovery
International Method.
•• Manage Your Fears, Manage Your Anger
•• Peace versus Power in the Family
•• Selections from Dr. Low’s Works – this is also
available as a CD.
* RI-Discovery Participant’s Workbook
* Wisdom of Dr. Low
DESCRIBE the reading
process:
Members take turns reading.
If someone does not want to read, he or she can simply
say “pass.”
Sometimes the reading session consists of a short
reading followed by a few minutes of discussion about
the concept the reading focuses on.
* There is no right or wrong about how a member
applies a concept.
* Meaning is personal
* Whatever is meaningful or works for a person is right
for that person.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 53 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
REFER participants to
Participant’s Handouts
page:
Turn to the page in your Participant’s Handouts
handout titled “Life Consists of Trivialities” (page
20).
LEAD a practice reading
session.
Let’s read this information in the Participant’s Handouts
out loud, just as we would in an RI meeting.
Read “Life Consists of
Trivialities” - or ask them to
read later if time short.
Remember that you can say “pass” if you don’t want to
read.
NOTE: This is a great
reading for presentations
as well!
ASK this question.
(Call on participants to read parts of the reading as you
would in a regular meeting.)
Does anyone have questions about the format of the
reading portion of a Recovery International meeting or
about this reading itself?
(Answer questions; then continue.)
DISCUSS the presentation of
examples.
The next – and major – portion of the meeting is
the presentation of five-minute examples by group
members using the four-step example format.
Each example is followed by up to 10 minutes of
spotting by other group members.
The example portion normally consists of three or four
examples with spotting.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 54 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
INTRODUCE the "Big Five"
Let's discuss the "Big Five".
The "Big Five" is a review of the five most important
elements that are found in each example. We spot on
each element to reduce/eliminate our symptoms.
After the group members spot on each example, we
work through the "Big Five".
REFER participants to
Participant’s Handout
page:
Turn to the page in your Handouts entitled "Some Basic
RI Terms" (page 12)
"Some Basic Recovery
International (RI) Terms" –
(p. 12)
REFER participants to bottom
of page 12
At the bottom of the page, there is a box containing the
"Big Five".
READ or ask participants to
take turns reading the "Big
Five".
The "Big Five" are:
1. Angry Temper
2. Fearful Temper
3. Muscle Movement
4. Muscle Control
5. Sabotage.
REVIEW the "Big Five"
definitions
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Now let's go back to the top of the page and review the
"Basic Terms" that make up the "Big Five".
Recovery International
| 55 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
READ the definitions or ask
participants to take turns
reading
• Angry Temper - negative judgements (resentment,
impatience, indignation, disgust, hatred) directed
against another person or situation.
• Fearful Temper - negative judgements
(discouragment, preoccupation, embarrassment,
worry, hopelessness, despair, sense of shame,
feelings of inadequacy) directed against onesself.
• Muscle Movement - commanding the muscles to
do something that we are resistent to do (example:
attending an RI meeting when we'd rather stay home)
• Muscle Control - controlling the impulse to do
something that would be bad for our mental health
(example: controlling our speech muscles)
• Sabotage. - when we ignore or choose not to practice
what we have learned in RI. When we do not do what
is best for our mental health. (example: not endorsing)
REMIND participants
Remember: we do the "Big Five" at the end of each
example presented.
ASK for questions
Are there any further questions about the "Big Five"?
DISCUSS the presentation of
examples.
The example portion normally consists of three or four
examples with spotting.
COMMENT on the selfendorsement efforts of the
participants.
Remember to endorse yourselves for your efforts.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 56 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
CONCLUDE the example
presentation.
In a regular meeting we’d continue with the
presentation of examples.
However, since the purpose of this session is to
introduce the meeting structure, let’s go on to the next
portion of a meeting at this time.
DISCUSS the voluntary
contribution portion of the
meeting.
(NOTE: skip this discussion
if voluntary contributions
are not part of the meetings
these participants will be
attending.)
ASK for questions.
At each meeting, participants are asked to give a
voluntary contribution to help support the organization.
•• Donations are completely voluntary.
•• The suggested donation is $5 per meeting.
•• If you are not able to contribute, please do not
let this stop you from attending.
Are there any questions about voluntary contributions?
(Answer questions; then continue.)
DISCUSS the further spotting
and questions portion of the
meeting.
The formal part of a regular Recovery International
meeting ends with further spotting and questions.
During this portion of the meeting, the leader:
•• Recaps the examples and leads the group in
spotting the types of temper involved in each
example – fearful and angry.
•• Points out and asks other to point out instances
of sabotage.
•• Asks for and answers questions about the
examples or anything else related to Recovery
International concepts, tools, and practice.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 57 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
ASK for questions.
Are there any final questions about the example
or about any other Recovery International tools or
concepts?
(Answer questions; then continue.)
DISCUSS mutual aid.
(Omit this information if
mutual aid is not part of the
meetings these participants
will be attending.)
Recovery International meetings end with mutual aid –
informal discussions about how participants are using
the Method.
This is a good time to:
•• Ask the group leader or a veteran member to
help you develop an example to share at a later
meeting.
•• Ask about specific tools or concepts that were
mentioned during the meeting.
Some groups have refreshments, and members enjoy
socializing during this time.
We’ll skip mutual aid for now and save it for the end of
this program.
EXPLAIN meeting frequency
and timing.
Total time for Recovery International meetings is one to
two hours.
Each group meets once a week.
If multiple groups meet in your area, you can attend
more than one group meeting a week.
Recovery International also provides telephone and
online meetings.
•• You can find out more about these meetings on
the RI website: www.recoveryinternational.org
•• Or you can call Recovery International toll free at
866-221-0302.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 58 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
DESCRIBE the five-minute
phone call.
If you need help with an issue related to your use of
the RI Method between meetings, we have a procedure
called the five-minute phone call.
•• You can ask a group leader or group member to
provide his or her phone number.
•• You can call the group leader or group member
and request a five-minute phone call.
•• During this phone call, you can briefly describe
the situation you are having trouble with and
request help in spotting on the issue.
•• The group leader or group member will help you
spot your temperamental reaction and sabotage
in your inner environment.
•• The five-minute phone call should be used
sparingly.
•• Remember that the Recovery International
Method is a self-help program.
•• The goal is for you to be able to successfully
apply the Method to spot and drop your temper
on your own.
ASK for final questions.
Does anyone have final questions about the structure
of Recovery International meetings or the five-minute
phone call?
(Answer final questions.)
ANNOUNCE a brief
discussion of the Group
Leader’s Guide.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Before we conclude this module, let’s talk a little about
the Group Leader’s Guide.
Recovery International
| 59 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
INTRODUCE a discussion of
the Group Leader’s Guide.
(show a copy of Group
Leader’s Guide) &
Refer participants to
Participant’s Handout:
“Group Leader’s Guide
Index” - (pages 21-24 )
Let’s talk a bit about the Group Leaders Guide (aka
GLG). This is your reference guide and also provides
you with backup and support when you or meeting
attendees have questions about RI’s policies and
procedures.
The Guide consists of two main sections:
•• The GLG text (handout pages 21 to middle to
page 23) and
•• The Appendices - (handout pages - middle of 23
to 24)
EXPLAIN Sections 1 & 2 of
the GLG Index:
The GLG Index begins on handout page 21 with RI’s
Mission & Vision Statements, an Introduction and
Preface
Section I (handout pages 21-top of 22) contains
information about Recovery International, Group
Meeting Policies and Procedures and Additional
Policies
Section II (handout page 22) contains information
about Recovery International Leadership.
(Read a few excerpts from each section)
Explain Section III Appendix A
The Index continues with Section III, which is also
Appendix A page 22-middle of 23). Appendix A
contains information relevant to all RI meetings.
(Read a few excerpts from Appendix A)
Explain Section IV Appendix B
Continuing on page 23, Section IV - Appendix B
- contains information about RI Discovery Group
Structure & materials.
(Read a few excerpts from Appendix B)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 60 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
Explain Section V Appendix C (page 23)
The next section on page 23 is Section V - Appendix
C, which provides information about RI Telephone
Meetings Group Structure and Materials.
Finish this overview with
Section VI - Appendix D (page 24)
The last section in our GLG Index is Section VI Appendix D, page 24. Here you will find information
about RI Online Meetings Group Structure and
Materials.
Add a few additional points
about the GLG:
I’d like to make a few additional comments about your
GLG:
Emphasize the importance
of having a GLG.
All leaders should have a copy of the Guide, and one
copy should be available for use at each meeting.
- Discuss making copies of
the GLG:
•• You may copy all or portions of the guide. You
have the option of making a copy yourself (see
above) or your Area Leader/Team may do so.
- Discuss ordering extra
copies of the GLG:
•• If you wish to order extra copies of the Guide,
you may order them from Headquarters, at a
cost of $15.00.
- Explain that the GLG
is also available on the
website:
- Ask for questions &
conclude the Module
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
•• The Group Leader’s Guide is posted on the
Leader’s website at: www.recoveryinternational.
org/Leaders.asp. You have permission to
download it.
Are there any further comments or questions? (If so,
take a few minutes to answer them). Then conclude the
Module and move on to Module 8 - Review.
Recovery International
| 61 |
Training Manual
MODULE 8
REVIEW
Objectives Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
•• Demonstrate knowledge of basic Recovery International concepts and language.
•• Demonstrate the ability to define basic Recovery International terms.
Materials Needed
•• Module 8 of this Trainer’s Guide.
•• A container the participants can pick numbers from.
•• Slips of paper with the numbers 1 through 25 on them folded and placed in the container.
Timing
30 minutes
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 62 |
Training Manual
Content
What to Do
What to Say
INTRODUCE the module.
You’ve now learned many of the basic Recovery
International concepts and terms.
Let’s take some time now to review what you’ve
learned.
EXPLAIN how the review will
be conducted.
To make it more fun and interesting, we’re going to
conduct the review like a Jeopardy Game. We’ll call it
our “RI Jeopardy Questions Game!”
Instructions for RI Jeopardy Questions Game (two teams)
INTRODUCE the RI Jeopardy
Questions Game.
•• We’ll divide you into two teams.
•• I have a sheet with 25 numbered questions. The
first team will pick a number (1-25) from the
container.
•• I will read the question from my sheet that
matches the number you picked from the
container.
•• If the answer is correct, the first team will get a
point.
•• If the answer is incorrect, the other team will get
a chance to provide the correct answer and earn
the point.
•• We’ll alternate teams so that the team that
doesn’t provide a correct answer gets the
chance to pick the next number.
•• The team with the most points at the end will
win.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 63 |
Training Manual
What to Do
What to Say
CONDUCT the game,
referring to the two “Review
Questions and Answers”
pages at the end of the
module.
(Follow the steps explained above to conduct the game,
keeping track of the number of points each team earns.)
Conclude the game and then:
COMMENT on the selfendorsement efforts of the
participants.
I hope you are endorsing yourselves for your
continuing efforts to apply these concepts in your life.
CONCLUDE by asking for
final questions.
Are there any final questions about any of the Recovery
International concepts or terms?
(Answer questions - then thank participants)
THANK participants:
Thank you for participating in this training. We hope you
have gained increased knowledge and skills that will
help you with your leadership in RI and in using and
practicing the RI Method.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 64 |
Training Manual
Review Questions and Answers
Recovery International
No.
Question
Answer
1
Who is Dr. Abraham Low?
The founder of Recovery
International
2
How long ago was Recovery International
started?
Over 70 years ago
3
What are three actions that lead to success
in Recovery International?
Learn the RI Method, gain group
support, and practice
4
What is the main activity at a RI meeting?
Presenting examples showing the
use of the RI tools to control temper
5
What does the RI Method consist of?
Easy-to-learn techniques and tools
for changing the way we react to
people and situations we have no
control over
Temper and Tools
No.
Question
Answer
6
What is angry temper?
Negative judgments directed against
another person or situation
7
What is fearful temper?
Negative judgments directed against
oneself
8
What is a tool?
A short statement that helps you
change your thoughts, control your
temper, or move your muscles
9
Where do the tools come from?
From the writings of Dr. Abraham
Low
10
What is temperamental language?
Language that is negative,
pessimistic, insecure, exaggerated or
defeatist
Environment and Control
No.
Question
Answer
11
What is inner environment?
Everything inside yourself
12
What is outer environment?
Everything outside yourself
13
What are three aspects of our inner
environment we can control?
Thoughts, impulses, muscles
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 65 |
Training Manual
Examples
No.
Question
Answer
14
Which aspects of our inner environment can Initial inner responses, such as
we not control?
feelings and sensations
15
What are people, events, the past, and the
future?
Aspects of our outer environment
that we cannot control
16
What is step1 of an example?
Report a single situation or event
that occurred – an everyday event
when you began to work yourself up.
17
What is step 2 of an example?
Report the symptoms you
experienced – both physical and
mental.
18
What is step 3 of an example?
Report your spotting of fearful and/
or angry temper, the Recovery
International tools you used to help
yourself, and your self-endorsement
for your effort.
19
What is step 4 of an example?
Begin with “Before I had my
Recovery training,” and describe
the temperamental reaction
and symptoms you would have
experienced in former days.
20
What is the example giver not allowed to do
when the group spots on an example?
The example giver cannot speak.
Some Basic Recovery International Terms
No.
Question
Answer
21
What is self-endorsement?
Self-praise for any effort to practice
the RI Method
22
What are trivialities?
The everyday events and irritations of
daily life
23
What is averageness?
What most people experience
24
What is spotting?
Identifying a disturbing feeling,
sensation, thought, or impulse, then
applying the right RI tools
25
When does sabotage occur?
When we ignore or choose not to
practice what we have learned in RI
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 66 |
Training Manual
Review Questions
Recovery International
No.
Question
Answer
1
Who is Dr. Abraham Low?
2
How long ago was Recovery International
started?
3
What are three actions that lead to success
in Recovery International?
4
What is the main activity at a RI meeting?
5
What does the RI Method consist of?
Temper and Tools
No.
Question
Answer
6
What is angry temper?
7
What is fearful temper?
8
What is a tool?
9
Where do the tools come from?
10
What is temperamental language?
Environment and Control
No.
Question
11
What is inner environment?
12
What is outer environment?
13
What are three aspects of our inner
environment we can control?
14
Which aspects of our inner environment can
we not control?
15
What are people, events, the past, and the
future?
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Answer
Recovery International
| 67 |
Training Manual
Examples
No.
Question
Answer
16
What is step1 of an example?
17
What is step 2 of an example?
18
What is step 3 of an example?
19
What is step 4 of an example?
20
What is the example giver not allowed to do
when the group spots on an example?
Some Basic Recovery International Terms
No.
Question
21
What is self-endorsement?
22
What are trivialities?
23
What is averageness?
24
What is spotting?
25
When does sabotage occur?
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Answer
Recovery International
| 68 |
Training Manual
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR RECOVERY INTERNATIONAL
ONE DAY TRAINING – 2014
Activity #1 – Module 1 – Page 9:
“INTRODUCING THE TOOLS”
Activity #2 – Module 2 – Page 18:
“TEMPER”
Activity #3 – Module 2 – Page 20:
“WHAT TRIGGERS TEMPER”
Activity #4 – Module 2 – Page 25:
“SYMPTOMS/AVERAGENESS”
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 1A |
Training Manual
ACTIVITY 1: Introducing the Tools
Purpose: To help participants become more familiar with tools.
____________________________________________________________________________________
To Prepare:
Cut out the tools on the following pages. Fold each into quarters. Place in a small container. You
may want to use a plastic tool box, a small decorative box or something seasonal (like an Easter
Basket).
To Implement:
At start of class, ask each person to pick a tool from the container. Go around the room asking
each person to read his/her tool.
Variation:
Ask each person to take two tools from the container. Go around the room. Each person should
read aloud the tool that he/she thinks might be most helpful to him/her that day and explain how he/she might use it.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|
Activity 1-1
Activity 1: Tools
Self-appointed expectations lead to self-induced frustrations.
People do things that annoy us, not necessarily to annoy us.
Knowledge teaches you what to do. Practice tells you how to do it.
Muscles can be commanded to do what one fears to do.
Tempers are frequently uncontrolled, but not uncontrollable.
Treat mental health as a business and not a game.
Humor is our best friend, temper is our worst enemy.
If you can’t change a situation, you can change your attitude towards it.
Be self-led, not symptom-led .
Distressing but not dangerous.
Temper is, among other things, blindness to the other side of the story.
Comfort is a want, not a need.
There is no right or wrong in life’s trivialities.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|
Activity 1-2
Activity 1: Tools
Calm begets calm, temper begets temper.
Don’t take our own dear selves too seriously.
Feelings should be expressed and tempers suppressed.
Helplessness is not hopelessness.
Temper maintains and intensifies symptoms.
Do things in part acts.
Endorse yourself for the effort, not only for the performance.
Have the courage to make a mistake.
Feelings are not facts.
Do the things you fear and hate to do.
Fear is a belief and beliefs can be changed.
Every act of self-control leads to a sense of self-respect.
Decide, plan and act.
Any decision will steady you.
Anticipation is often worse than realization.
Bear the discomfort in order to gain comfort.
Hurt feelings are just beliefs not shared.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|
Activity 1-3
ACTIVITY 2: Temper
Purpose: To demonstrate how prevalent temper is.
To introduce tool: Endorse for effort, not just for performance.
____________________________________________________________________________________
To Prepare:
Have 2 flip chart pages and 2 waterproof markers. Each flip chart should have a vertical line down
the center.
NOTE: If no flip chart available, give each team a sheet of paper - ask them to put a vertical line
down the center. Then proceed with “To Implement”:
To Implement:
Divide into 2 teams. Each team chooses a recorder. Give each team 3 minutes to come up with as
many words for anger as possible. These will go on the left side of the paper.
Then give each team 3 minutes to come up with as many words as possible for fear. These words
go on the right side of the paper.
Share results. Remind each team to endorse for their efforts. Note how prevalent temper is in our
culture. Also note that we endorse for efforts even if our performance doesn’t lead to the results we
were hoping for.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|
Activity 2
ACTIVITY 3: What Triggers Temper
Purpose: To help people become aware of the types of situations that might trigger
their temper.
____________________________________________________________________________________
To Prepare: Put each of the following 3 pages on different walls of the room.
To Implement: Ask all participants to stand. As you read the situations below, the participants
are going to go to the paper that best describes their comfort level with that situation. When done,
participants can return to their seats. Ask people to note the kinds of situations that make them
uncomfortable. Also note that feeling uncomfortable in some of the situations you find yourself in is
average.
1. Going to a job interview.
2. Telling an important person in your life that you disagree with them.
3. Being examined by an unfamiliar doctor.
4. Speaking in front of a large group of people.
5. Being on a crowded elevator.
6. Apologizing to someone important to you.
7. Riding down a tall escalator.
8. Being timed or evaluated at work.
9. Taking a math test.
10.Starting a new job.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|
Activity 3
Activity 3: Poster 1
Very Uncomfortable
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|
Activity 3 - Poster 1
Activity 3: Poster 2
Comfortable
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|
Activity 3 - Poster 2
Activity 3: Poster 3
A Little
Uncomfortable
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|
Activity 3 - Poster 3
ACTIVITY 4: Symptoms/Averageness
Purpose: To help participants better understand symptoms & that they are average
___________________________________________________________________________________
To Prepare: The symptoms listed below.
To Implement: Tell group members that you will be reading a set of symptoms that are average
for a person to experience when in temper. Read symptoms one at a time. Group members are
asked to stand up if they have ever experienced that symptom. They should then sit down. Read
each symptom one by one, asking group members to stand up whenever they hear a symptom
they have experienced. Then ask everyone to sit back down. Remind people that it is average to
experience symptoms as an initial response to a challenging situation.
Symptoms:
• Tension in back and/or shoulders
• Rapid heartbeat
• Angry or fearful thoughts
• Confusion
• Tightness in chest
• Lowered feelings
• Sweaty palms, neck or brow
• Feeling fatigued
• Disturbing impulses
• Feeling light-headed
• Incorrect thinking (like thinking people are against you or thinking things are hopeless)
• Clenched fists
• Tight jaw; grimacing and frowning
• Irritability
• Shakiness
• Trouble speaking
• Shallow breathing
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|
Activity 4
RI TRAINING - SAMPLE TRAINING AGENDA - 1/2014 - 9am-5pm
9:00 - 9:15. . . . . Welcome and Introductions – Purpose/Objectives
(10-15 minutes)
9:15 - 10:00. . . . (Module 1) Intro/Review – Recovery International
(45 minutes)
10:00 - 10:30 . . (Module 2) Temper – Part I
(30 minutes)
10:30 - 10:45 . . BREAK (15 minutes)
10:45 - 11:15 . . (Module 2) Temper – Part II
(30 minutes)
11:15 - 11:45 . . (Module 3) Tools & Spotting
(30 minutes)
11:45 - 12:15 . . (Module 4) The Example Format
(30 minutes)
12:15 - 1:00. . . . LUNCH BREAK (1 hour)
1:15 - 1:45. . . . . (Module 5) Environments & Control
(30 minutes)
1:45 - 2:45. . . . . (Module 6) Other RI Concepts – Part I
(45 minutes)
2:45 - 3:00. . . . . BREAK
3:00 - 3:30. . . . . (Module 6) Other RI Concepts – Part II
3:30 - 4:15. . . . . (Module 7) Parts of an RI Meeting – Group Leaders Guide
(30 minutes)
(1 hour)
4:15 - 4:45. . . . . (Module 8) Review/RI Jeopardy
(30 minutes)
4:45 - 5:00. . . . . Leftover time if needed!!
(15 minutes)
Total Training Time: 8 hours (based on 9am-5pm)
Including 1 hour lunch and two, 15 minute breaks
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| iB |
Training Manual
ONE DAY TRAINING - HANDOUTS (MASTER/TRAINER COPY)
MODULE 1: Introduction to RI:
•• Sessions Agenda/Overview - What to Expect at an RI Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . .
•• Recovery International FAQ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
•• About RI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
•• 3 Actions that Lead to Success. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
•• 3 Actions that Lead to Success (Continued) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
MODULE 2: Temper:
•• Two Faces of Temper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
•• What is Temperamental Language?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
•• Power of Self-Endorsement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
•• Averageness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
MODULE 3: Tools & Spotting:
•• Spotting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10
•• A Sampling of Tools and Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 11
•• Some Basic RI Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12
•• Applying RI Tools to Drop Temper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 13
•• Constructing an RI Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Worksheet - Page 14
MODULE 4: The Example Format:
•• Outline/How an Example is Constructed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15
•• Examples of Recovery Practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16
•• (A Sampling of Tools and Terms (as above). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 11
MODULE 5: Environments & Control:
•• Environment has Two Faces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 17
MODULE 6: Other RI Concepts:
•• Comfort & Discomfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18
MODULE 7: Parts of an RI Meeting:
•• Parts of an RI Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 19
•• Reading: Life Consists of Trivialities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 20
•• Group Leader’s Guide Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 21-24
•• Basic Concepts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 25
•• Dictionary of Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26
MODULE 8: Review/RI Jeopardy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (see instructions in Module 8)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| iiB |
Training Manual
Participant Handouts - Appendix B:
Sample Training Agenda
One Day Training - Handouts (Master/Trainer Copy)
Handouts
What you Can Expect at a Recovery International (RI) Meeting
Recovery International FAQ
About Recovery International
Three Actions That Lead to Success in RI
Three Actions That Lead to Success in RI (continued)
The Two Faces of Temper
Temperamental Language
The Power of Self-Endorsement
Averageness
Spotting
A Sampling of Tools and Terms
Some Basic RI Terms
Applying RI Tools to Drop Temper
Constructing an RI Example
How a Recovery International Example Should Be Constructed
Examples of Recovery Practice
Environment Has Two Faces
Comfort and Discomfort
The Parts of a Recovery International Meeting
Life Consists of Trivialities
Group Leader’s Guide Index
Basic Concepts
Dictionary of Terms
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| iiiB |
Training Manual
Table of Contents Participant Handouts
What you Can Expect at a Recovery International (RI) Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Recovery International FAQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About Recovery International. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Three Actions That Lead to Success in RI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Three Actions That Lead to Success in RI (continued). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Two Faces of Temper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Temperamental Language. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The Power of Self-Endorsement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Averageness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Spotting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
A Sampling of Tools and Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Some Basic RI Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Applying RI Tools to Drop Temper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Constructing an RI Example. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
How a Recovery International Example Should Be Constructed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Examples of Recovery Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Environment Has Two Faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Comfort and Discomfort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The Parts of a Recovery International Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Life Consists of Trivialities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Group Leader’s Guide Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-24
Basic Concepts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Dictionary of Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| iv4 |
Training Manual
What You Can Expect at a Recovery International (RI) Meeting

Meetings will start and end on time.

Please turn off your cell phone, pager or other communication device.

Meetings are facilitated by volunteer leaders trained to demonstrate the Recovery
International Method.

A Recovery International meeting is a safe place to share. All personal information
disclosed during meetings is held in strict confidence.

All Recovery International meetings follow a standard, structured format.

Written information will be distributed to help you understand and participate during
the meeting. Additional RI literature, membership information and materials will also
be available.

You may take notes on RI tools and principles during any portion of the meeting
EXCEPT during the giving of an example.

We encourage you to sit with the group and to participate. Until you are ready to
participate, simply say “I pass”.

We listen quietly and respectfully when others are reading and speaking.

We do not use offensive language.

We don’t offer advice, criticize, judge, analyze or make negative comments.

We keep comments and spotting tools brief in order to have time for all to
participate.

You will have an opportunity to ask questions or make comments.

We don’t discuss politics, sex, religion, or legal issues in our meetings.

We are not mental health experts or trained professionals. We are people who
practice the RI self-help techniques. We don’t diagnose, comment or advise on
diagnoses, treatment plans or your medications.

Drinking any non-alcoholic beverage is permitted during a meeting but eating is
restricted to the Mutual Aid portion of the meeting.
Thanks for coming and we encourage you to come again.
If you have questions, comments or concerns call:
Rev Jan 2010
Doc.1
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
© Abraham Low Self-Help Systems
Recovery International
|1|
Participant Handout
Recovery International Frequently Asked Questions
Is Recovery International a 12-step program?
The Recovery International system is not a 12-step program. Experience has shown no
conflict between the two programs, and that they can be used simultaneously if necessary
in a person’s specific situation.
When can I expect to see results in my own life?
As you begin to practice the Recovery International self-help tools, you will begin to see
situations in a different light. All training takes time. The best way to encourage adaption of
the tools in your life is through attending community meetings, phone meetings and/or
online meetings, where you can learn from other experiences.
Are Recovery International group leaders mental health professionals?
No. Group Leaders are your peers. Leaders have all practiced the Recovery International
system in their lives. Leaders receive ongoing training and are authorized annually.
How do I learn to give examples?
You will learn primarily from listening to others give their examples, by following the
Example Outline sheet and using the Sampling of Tools and Terms. The Group Leader will
help you, when you are ready, by reading each of the four steps as you give your first
example.
Can I take notes?
Notes may be taken at any point during the meeting except when examples are being
given. This assures the example-giver that no one is writing down the details of the
situation being related.
Can I talk to someone from my group between meetings?
Ask the group leader for contact information for the person or people in the group who are
willing to take phone calls for assistance between meetings.
Where can I get the books?
The main texts, Mental Health Through Will Training, Manage Your Fears Manage Your
Anger, Selections From Dr. Low’s Works and other materials can be purchased at
www.lowselfhelp-systems.org
www.recoveryinternational.org .
How many different meetings may I attend?
You are welcome to attend any available meetings. You can find meeting locations at
www.recoveryinternational.org
www.lowselfhelpsystems.org
Rev Jan 2010
Doc.2
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
© Abraham Low Self-Help Systems
Recovery International
|2|
Participant Handout
About Recovery International
Recovery International was the first self-help system aimed at those suffering from mental and
nervous disorders and symptoms. Dr. Abraham Low started it over 70 years ago. He developed the
RI Method working with his patients over a 15-year period. Called a cognitive-behavioral therapy
program today, it offered a ground-breaking method to help its members regain and maintain their
mental health.
Recovery International today offers hundreds of weekly meetings across the United States, as
well as in Canada, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Spain, Israel, India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom.
Telephone meetings are also held, which are convenient for those who don’t live near weekly
meeting locations or who can’t get out easily. Some people attend both types of meetings. Tens of
thousands of people have used and continue to use the RI Method to live a healthy, peaceful life.
Group leaders and facilitators have been specially trained in order to maintain consistency in
structure and content within a group and from group to group. Consistency is important so that
you can go to a group meeting anywhere and join right in.
Recovery International has no religious affiliation. Attending RI meetings does not replace
professional care and therapy. RI is not a 12-step program. Members can participate in both RI and
a 12-step program. RI deals with symptoms, not diagnoses.
RI members are referred to groups in many ways – by other members, by physicians and
therapists, by agencies and other groups, for example.
The RI Method has worked and continues to work for many thousands of people. It consists of
easy-to-learn techniques and tools for changing the way we react to people and situations we
have no control over. Additionally, members learn how to identify and manage negative thoughts,
feelings, beliefs, and behaviors that can lead to emotional distress and related physical symptoms.
People who stick with the RI Method are able to live healthy, productive lives with lower levels of
tension, anger, fear, anxiety, compulsions, stress, and other symptoms.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|3|
Participant Handout
Three Actions That Lead to Success in RI
Learning the RI Method
You can learn the RI Method in many ways.
• Attending these training sessions is a good way to begin the learning process.
• You can also learn by reading books written by Dr. Low and other materials that provide the
vocabulary, tools, and steps needed to use the RI Method successfully.
• A prime way to learn is by attending regular Recovery International meetings, where group
members read selections from Dr. Low’s writings and learn from other members’ examples of
how they are applying the RI Method when dealing with the stresses of everyday life that trigger
distressing symptoms, thoughts, and impulses.
Gaining Group Support
You’ll gain group support primarily from attending weekly RI meetings.
• At RI meetings group members can report and get feedback on their own efforts in applying
the RI Method to help change their thoughts and control their impulses in reaction to normal
everyday non-emergency situations that RI members refer to as “trivialities.”
• Group members also can provide feedback and support to others as they give examples of
their use of the RI tools to help change their thoughts and control their impulses in reaction to
trivial situations.
• RI meeting attendees are all learning from each other – no matter how experienced group
members are, there is always something more to learn.
• At RI meetings:
We don’t teach, we demonstrate.
We don’t judge, we support each others’ efforts.
(Continue on next page.)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|4|
Participant Handout
Three Actions That Lead to Success in RI (continued)
Practicing
The last step that leads to success in RI is practicing.
• As with everything, the more you practice applying the RI techniques and tools to help change
your thoughts and control your impulses, the better you get at doing so.
• As you attend and participate in meetings and learn to apply the RI techniques, you will begin
to see your challenges in a different light.
• For some people this begins to happen after just a few meetings; for others it can take a few
months.
• At meetings you will see people in different phases of regaining and maintaining their mental
health.
• It’s the effort of using the RI Method that we focus on, not the results.
• We are not trying to be perfect; we are just trying to do the best we can to recognize what
triggers our distressing thoughts and impulses and to apply the RI techniques that allow us to
remain calm and not work ourselves up.
Notes
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|5|
Participant Handout
The Two Faces of Temper
Angry Temper: Fearful Temper:
NEGATIVE JUDGMENTS directed
against another person or situation
NEGATIVE JUDGMENTS directed
against oneself
Resentment
Discouragement
Impatience
Preoccupation
Indignation
Embarrassment
Disgust
Worry
Hatred
Hopelessness
Despair
Sense of shame
Feelings of inadequacy
Can you think of more? Can you think of more?
Temper can lead to, or be the result of:
• Temperamental deadlocks – quarreling over who is right and who is wrong in everyday
situations that can result in an angry standoff.
• Temperamental language – language that is alarming or defeating or results in exaggerated,
negative or insecure descriptions of experiences.
In RI, you will learn to identify – or spot – temper and substitute secure language for
temperamental language to change the way you react to and handle situations.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|6|
Participant Handout
Temperamental Language
WHAT IS TEMPERAMENTAL LANGUAGE?
SHORT ANSWER: Any words or statements that increase fearful or angry temper.
What are some of those words?
1. Exaggerated descriptions of experiences
2. Negative descriptions of experiences
3. Insecure descriptions of experiences
4. Alarming language
5. Defeatist language
IS THAT ALL? NO! TEMPERAMENTAL LANGUAGE IS ALSO
gossip - it's almost always negative
teasing - it's meant to hurt
cursing - it's exaggerated and negative
foul words - same as cursing, exaggerated and negative
and...
comparison - it almost always expresses negative judgment:
"That person is better than me" (fearful temper)
or
"I am better than that person" (sovereignty, self-minded)
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|7|
Participant Handout
The Power of Self-Endorsement
Self-endorsement is self-praise – a mental pat on the back we give ourselves for any effort we
make to spot our temper and to control our words and actions.
In RI, we do not look for endorsement from others. We endorse ourselves.
We endorse ourselves for any effort we make to control how we think and act, whether we are
successful or not.
It’s the effort we focus on, not the result.
What are some efforts you can endorse yourself for today?
Notes
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|8|
Participant Handout
Averageness
In RI, averageness is fine. Average does not mean mediocre. It means balanced. It means that we
do not try to be exceptional. We understand that:
• Everyone experiences similar trivialities.
• Everyone has temper.
• Everyone gets tense and nervous to a degree.
It’s average to feel the impulse to lash out in anger or to avoid what we fear.
Our experiences are average, not exceptional, and our feelings and sensations are not exceptional
either. It’s only our tendency to work them up that makes them seem exceptional to us.
We also do not put pressure on ourselves to always be able to react perfectly – no one can. We
want to set realistic goals – what we can achieve, not what’s impossible to achieve.
We each have our own average. For example, some people are early risers and do their best
thinking in the morning. That is their average. Others do their best thinking in the afternoon or late
at night. That is their average.
We are all good at some things and not so good at others. Different people are good at different
things. In this way, too, we each have our own average.
What is one thing you are good at?
What is one thing you are not so good at?
It’s not really how good we are at something that’s important. What is important is our effort – that
we try to do our average best. We try to drop the judgment – of ourselves and others.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
|9|
Participant Handout
Spotting
In RI, the term “spot” is used in two ways:
• To “spot” means to identify when we are having a temperamental reaction or symptom and to
remember an RI concept and use it to drop our temper or manage our symptoms.
• A “spot” or “tool” is a short sentence that we use to help us remember an RI concept and
enable us to drop our temper and manage our symptoms.
There are many spots, or tools. You will learn them through practice.
Different tools apply to different situations. Different tools have different meanings to different
people.
There is no right or wrong way to use the tools; whatever works for you is appropriate.
Notes
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 10 |
Participant Handout
A SAMPLING OF TOOLS AND TERMS
A purpose for using a Tool List is to enable newcomers to more easily and rapidly participate in a
Recovery meeting. With this in mind Recovery International encourages you to use this list when you
initially attend our meetings, until you feel comfortable without it. Your Group Leader may have other
guidelines for you regarding the use of this list in meetings. We are glad that you are here and
encourage you to participate and endorse for your participation!
These tools are quoted or adapted from Dr. Low’s books: Mental Health Through Will Training (MH),
Selections from Dr. Low’s Works (SEL) and Manage Your Fears, Manage Your Anger (MYF).
Citations to Dr. Low’s books are listed for each tool. Many other tools can be found in these books.
Some Basic RI Tools
































Treat mental health as a business and not as a game………………..…...……………MH ch.25
Humor is our best friend, temper is our worst enemy……………………………….…..MH p.108
If you can't change a situation you can change your attitude towards it...MYF p.108, Sel. p.31-32
Be self-led, not symptom-led. …..………………………………………......MYF p.114-118, 280-283
Nervous symptoms and sensations are distressing but not dangerous .SEL p.53, MH p.115, 119
Temper is, among other things, blindness to the other side of the story
…………MH p.159
Comfort is a want, not a need. ………………………………..……………......….....MH chs.13, 22
There is no right or wrong in the trivialities of every day life………...SEL p.39, MH p.157, 195-196
Calm begets calm, temper begets temper………………………….…...…….MYF p.245, SEL p.31
Don't take our own dear selves too seriously………………………………....………….MH p.109
Feelings should be expressed and temper suppressed…………………....……...…....MH p.178
Helplessness is not hopelessness………………………..……………….……MH ch.7, MYF p.184
Some people have a passion for self-distrust…….…………...…..…….MH ch.29 & MYF Lecture 2
Temper maintains and intensifies symptoms………………………..…….……….……MH p. 219
Do things in part acts……………………………………………….…….……….……MH p.246-249
Endorse yourself for the effort, not only for the performance……...…….MYF p.13, SEL p.46, 132
Have the courage to make a mistake………………..……….MH p.203, ch.30, MYF p.60, SEL p.108
Feelings are not facts……………………………...……………..………….MH ch.9, MYF Lecture 14
Do the things you fear and hate to do……………...………..…………...MH p. 329-330, MYF p.197
Fear is a belief –– beliefs can be changed………………………………………….MYF p.266-269
Every act of self-control leads to a sense of self-respect....…………….…….………..MH p.166
Decide, plan and act. ………………………….……………………………………………...MH p.42
Any decision will steady you……………………………………...……………….………...MYF p.5
Anticipation is often worse than realization….…………………..…..………….MH p.114-115, 146
Replace an insecure thought with a secure thought……………..……….….……..MYF Lecture 1
Bear the discomfort in order to gain comfort…………………….………….…………….MH p.149
Hurt feelings are just beliefs not shared………………………………….………………..SEL p.21
Self-appointed expectations lead to self-induced frustrations…………….…………….SEL p.35
People do things that annoy us, not necessarily to annoy us………..…...…………….MH ch.48
Knowledge teaches you what to do, practice tells you how to do it……...……………SEL p.118
Muscles can be commanded to do what one fears to do………………………..……..SEL p.123
Tempers are frequently uncontrolled, but not uncontrollable.…………………………..MH p.392
Rev Jan 2010
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Doc.4a
Recovery International
| 11 |
Participant Handout© Abraham Low Self-Help Systems
SOME BASIC RI TERMS
Angry Temper –– negative judgments (resentment, impatience, indignation, disgust,
hatred) directed against another person or situation.
Fearful Temper –– negative judgments (discouragement, preoccupation,
embarrassment, worry, hopelessness, despair, sense of shame, feelings of inadequacy)
directed against oneself.
Averageness — most of the things we experience, including nervous symptoms are
average — most people have experienced them. Only our tendency to work
them up makes them seem exceptional to us.
Self-endorsement — self-praise for any effort to practice the RI Method. We
recognize the value of every effort we make regardless of the result.
Sabotage — when we ignore or choose not to practice what we have learned in RI.
When we do not do what is best for our mental health.
Trivialities — the everyday events and irritations of daily life. Compared to our mental
health, most events are trivial
Inner Environment — everything inside your self: feelings, sensations, thoughts,
impulses and muscles.
Outer Environment — everything outside your self: places, people, events, and the
past.
Spotting — identifying a disturbing feeling, sensation, thought or impulse, previously
unseen then applying the right Recovery tools.
THE BIG FIVE
1. Angry Temper
2. Fearful Temper
3. Muscle Control
4. Muscle Movement
5. Sabotage
Rev Jan 2010
Doc.4b
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
© Abraham Low Self-Help Systems
Recovery International
| 12 |
Participant Handout
Applying RI Tools to Drop Temper
Situations When You
Were in Temper
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Type of Temper
(Angry / Fearful)
Recovery International
| 13 |
Participant Handout
Tools to Use
to Drop Temper
Constructing an RI Example: A Worksheet
1. Report a single situation or event that occurred — an everyday event when you began to work
yourself up. Focus on a brief description of what happened: specifically, what triggered temper and
symptoms?
2. Report the symptoms you experienced — both physical and mental.
(For instance, angry and fearful thoughts, confusion, palpitations, disturbing impulses, tightness in
your chest, lowered feelings, sweaty palms, and so on.)
3. Report your spotting of fearful and/or angry temper, the RI tools you used to help yourself, and
your self-endorsement for your effort.
4. Begin with “Before I had my Recovery training” and describe the temperamental reaction and
symptoms you would have experienced before you began practicing the RI Method. What would
have happened then versus what happened now? (This will help you to note the progress you have
made.)
Rev Jan 2010
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Doc.5
Recovery International
| 14 |
Participant Handout© Abraham Low Self-Help Systems
HOW A RECOVERY INTERNATIONAL EXAMPLE SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED
OUTLINE
Step 1. Report a single situation or event that occurred-an everyday event when you began
to work yourself up. Focus on a brief description of what happened: specifically, what
triggered temper and symptoms?
Step 2. Report the symptoms you experienced-both physical and mental. (For instance,
angry and fearful thoughts, confusion, palpitations, disturbing impulses, tightness in your
chest, lowered feelings, sweaty palms, and so on.)
Step 3. Report your spotting of fearful and angry temper, the Recovery International
tools you used to help yourself, and your self-endorsement for your effort.
Step 4. Begin with “Before I had my Recovery training,” and describe the temperamental
reaction and symptoms you would have experienced in former days. What would have
happened then versus what happened now? (This will help you to note the progress you
have made.)
Learning to give an example simply and clearly in the four-step sequence is an important
part of the Recovery International (RI) Method. The best way to learn is to practice
constructing and giving a “good average” example. Here are a few basics to work on as
you go through each step in turn.
Step 1: When describing the situation or event, be clear but brief. It’s tempting to go into a
lot of “background” and detail, but this is usually unnecessary and even distracting. Practice
focusing on just a few sentences of basic information that will clarify the situation or event
that generated your symptoms or discomfort. Notice in the sample examples how the
descriptions in Step 1 are both brief and precise.
Step 2: People often skip this step to get to Step 3, “spotting.” However, while this step,
like the others, should be kept brief, an important part of the RI Method is learning to be
objective in recognizing and describing physical and mental responses. This objectivity
makes those responses seem less threatening and overwhelming. Avoid diagnosing (“I
became paranoid”) and spotting (that comes in the next step). Just describe your physical
and mental sensations (“I felt flushed and angry, my head hurt,” etc.).
Step 3: Here you identify the Recovery tools – the “spots” – that helped you deal with your
symptoms. Stay focused on RI language and concepts; avoid mixing in material from other
methods. Be clear about how the spots apply to the symptoms and event, but don’t worry
about using every possible tool. Often just one or a few spots are all that you need for the
example.
Step 4: A crucial part of getting well through will training comes when we see how we’ve
improved through our use of the RI Method. This step is important in helping us to see that
improvement.
Note: The sample Examples of RI Practice (see reverse side) illustrate how the four steps
can be followed briefly but clearly.
Rev Jan 2010
Doc.3a
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
© Abraham Low Self-Help Systems
Recovery International
| 15 |
Participant Handout
EXAMPLES OF RECOVERY PRACTICE
I had an errand to do downtown today. It was something that could not be put off. I thought
that I did not want to go and began to work myself up.
I had fearful thoughts about being out in public and not being able to control my outer
environment. I wanted to withdraw, had lowered feelings, felt tense and thought of how I could
avoid going out today.
I spotted my fearful temper and made a decision to go out and run the errand. I felt steadier
having made the decision. I planned and acted in getting ready to go out and went downtown on
the bus. As I traveled and took care of my business downtown, I saw that anticipation is often
worse than realization because things were going fine. I enjoyed being out on a nice day and people
were friendly. Although I could not control my outer environment, I could control my inner
environment. Each time I endorsed my efforts, the next step seemed easier.
Before my Recovery training, I might have stayed home, remained fearful and worked myself
up into a vicious cycle of lowered feelings and inadequacy. If I had not decided, planned and acted,
I would not have had this opportunity to see that anticipation is often worse than realization and
that one self-endorsement can lead to further encouragement and confidence.
**********
Coming through customs at the airport at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, I was asked to go through a
different area to be searched. That’s when I began to work myself up.
My symptoms were head pressure, palpitations, and dizziness. My racing thoughts were, Why
me? There are thousands of people here and they pick me. I had the impulse to work myself up
more.
I spotted aggressive temper towards the customs officials. I had fearful temper that I would be
unable to cope with the situation and self-pity – Poor me! I used the Recovery spottings that
“helplessness is not hopelessness” and “to excuse rather than accuse” in the interest of my mental
health.
In former days, I would have reached for medication. I would have said rude things to the
man who searched my luggage. This time I endorsed myself for making the trip and coming to
Chicago.
**********
Yesterday I bought a half dozen peaches that were beautiful on the outside but rotten on the
inside. My wife and I have different philosophies about buying produce. I buy it at a cheaper store
where the goods must be eaten in a few days or they will go bad. She buys at a more expensive
store which sells produce with a longer shelf life. We have been engaged in a good-natured debate
all summer about which philosophy helped us save more money. Several months ago, we had had
the same experience with fruit purchased at my store. My wife returned the items and got our
money back. Now it was happening again. I began to work myself up.
I had lowered feelings and some stomach distress. I had the fearful thought that I might have
failed in the standard of average efficiency. I had the angry thought that my wife was rubbing in my
failure.
I spotted to have the courage to make mistakes and that there is no right or wrong in the
trivialities of everyday life. I excused and did not accuse my wife. I spotted that people say things
that irritate us but not necessarily to irritate us. I resisted the impulse to start keeping records about
how much things cost my way as opposed to her way—thus controlling my muscles to keep from
going for a symbolic victory. I endorsed myself for my practice.
Before Recovery I would have felt that I must find out who was right. I would not have
realized that I had choices about changing my thoughts and controlling my impulses. Before
Recovery I was hospitalized with delusions and clinical depression.
Rev Jan 2010
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Doc.3b
Recovery International
| 16 |
Participant Handout© Abraham Low Self-Help Systems
Environment Has Two Faces
OUTER (EXTERNAL) ENVIRONMENT
INNER (INTERNAL) ENVIRONMENT
EVERYTHING OUTSIDE YOURSELF
EVERYTHING INSIDE YOURSELF
Places
Feelings
People
Sensations
Events
The Past
Thoughts
Impulses
Muscles
Which can you control?
Which can you control?
Notes
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 17 |
Participant Handout
Comfort and Discomfort
Situations
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Distressing Symptoms
Recovery International
| 18 |
Participant Handout
Appropriate Tools
The Parts of a Recovery International Meeting
• Welcome and Introductions
• Reading
• Examples
• Voluntary Contributions
• Further Spotting and Questions
• Mutual Aid
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 19 |
Participant Handout
Life Consists of Trivialities
Life consists of trivialities and very little else. If you think of what you worry about, it’s trivialities.
Whether you should buy a certain item or not. Whether you shouldbuy it now or wait until the price
goes down. Should you spend money on unnecessary things, or should you save the money?
These are trivialities, average happenings.
The average person deals constantly with average happenings, with trivialities. You eat, you
sleep, you walk, you go to school, you see friends, you talk on the phone. That takes up 90 percent
of your day, if not 98 percent. Life consists of trivialities mainly. How often does a father die? Once
in a lifetime. That’s not a common, average, trivial event. How often does somebody in the family
get married or somebody get born? How often does your house burn down? What you call a big
item happens rarely.
These trivialities of everyday life create responses in you. You either don’t notice them because
they don’t interest you, or they cheer you because they please you, or they anger you, or scare you.
Even the simplest triviality can scare or anger you. In the life of a parent, the fact that a baby cries
is a triviality. A thousand things that the baby does are trivialities, but a mother may work herself
up over each of these trivialities. The closer a relation is to you, the more the trivialities can irritate,
frustrate, anger and scare you.
Trivialities crowd your life, but any one of them may arouse your anger, your fear, your disgust,
or your terror. I want you to learn how to deal with trivialities, not to get upset by trivialities. You
must learn to handle the trivialities of daily life without temper. If you wish to be trained in this
system, be prepared to listen to nothing but trivialities. That’s life. Life is to get angry at a person
who doesn’t look at you, or a person who stares at you, a person who talks too much, or a person
who doesn’t talk at all. That’s life. It is also to eat a bad meal or a good meal. If you eat a bad meal,
you feel anger. If you eat a good meal, then you feel enjoyment. That’s life. Utterly trivial.
If you want stirring excitement, you will not get it in this program. We are average people, and
we talk about average trivialities – that means everyday life.
Note: This is an excerpt from Chapter 23 in Manage Your Fears, Manage Your Anger by Abraham A. Low, M.D.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 20 |
Participant Handout
GROUP LEADERS’ GUIDE INDEX
Mission Statement. …………………………………………...…….
Vision Statement…………………………………………...………
Introduction …………………………………………...…………...
Preface……………………………………………………………...
PAGE
1
1
2
3
Section I – Recovery International. Group Meeting Policies & Procedures
Recovery International Developed by Dr. Low ……………….……
Who May Attend Recovery International Meeting………………..
Location of Meetings……………………………………………….
Contact Numbers…………………………………………………..
Frequency of Meetings……………………………………………...
Meeting Room Arrangement………………………………………..
RI Literature……………………………………………………….
Role of the Leader………………………………………………….
Sequence of the Group Meeting
Welcoming Newcomers…………………………………………..
Authoritative Works of Dr. Low………………………………….
Introductions……………………………………………………..
Before the Example Period……………………………………….
The Example Period
Time Limits Prescribed by Dr. Low………………………………
Giving the Example………………………………………………
The Nature of the Example (Trivialities)………………………….
The Testimonial…………………………………………………..
“I Need Help” Examples…………………………………………
Controversies Between Members…………………………………
Comments (Spotting) on the Example……………………………
Balance Between Sabotage and Practice…………………………..
No Advice………………………………………………………..
Voluntary Contributions………………………………………….
Further Spotting, Questions and Comments……………………...
Mutual Aid Period………………………………………………...
The Small Group…………………………………………………
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
9
10
11
11
12
12
14
14
14
15
15
16
17
17
17
18
19
Additional Policies
Recovery International is Self-Help Mental Health……………….. 20
Use of the RI Language……………………………………..…… 20
RI Is Inclusive…………………………………………...……….. 21
RI Group
Leaders’
Rev.
Group
Leader’s Guide,
Guide, Rev
Jan04/10
2010
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 21 |
Participant Handout
Size of an RI Group……………………………...……………….
Note Taking………………………………………………...…….
Five-Minute Telephone Calls Between Meetings………………….
Smoking at Meetings……………………………………………...
Beverages and Food at the Meeting………………………………
Issues Not Discussed……………………………………………..
RI Does Not Offer These Services……………………………….
21
21
21
22
22
22
22
Section II – Recovery International Group Leadership
Qualifications To Become a Group Leader or an
Assistant Group Leader……………………………………...
Authorization and Tenure of Group Leaders……...………………..
Leaders’ Meetings – An Important Service Provided by the Area ...
Responsibilities of Group Leaders………………………………....
24
24
24
25
Section III – Appendix A (items may be copied as needed)
(Materials marked with a document number will be found in the document section
of this Appendix)
Materials To Be Given To the Newcomer ...................................................A1
Materials for Use During the Meeting ..........................................................A2
Welcome Message for Newcomers ...............................................................A3
Importance of Trivialities ................................................................................A4
Tips for Leading an RI Example....................................................................A5
Voluntary Contribution and Scripts ..............................................................A6
MHTWT Chapter Page Number Cross Reference Chart ..........................A8
Selections from Dr. Low’s Works: CD Format ........................................ A11
Policy Statements
Essential Elements of the Recovery Method ............................................ A13
Essential Components of a Recovery International Meeting ................. A14
Confidentiality and Note-taking .................................................................. A15
Policies Governing Recovery International Meetings ............................. A16
Guidelines and Helpful Information
A Sampling of Tools & Terms: Guidelines for Group Leaders ............ A20
Newcomer’s Orientation During Weekly Meetings ................................. A22
Guidelines for Leaders: Dealing with Distrubing Behavior at meetings .... A25
Books By and About Dr. Low and Recovery International ................... A28
Letter to Request Meeting Space................................................................. A30
Certificate of Attendance ............................................................................. A31
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 22 |
Participant Handout
Confirmation of Attendance ........................................................................ A32
Order Forms & Publications
Group Leader’s Order Form
Member’s Order Form
Dr Low’s Lectures on CD: Order Form
Revolving Literature Fund Procedures
Revolving Literature Fund Agreement
Membership Form
Donation Form
Additional RI Publications
Documents
What You Can Expect at a Recovery International Meeting ...... Doc. 1
Recovery International Frequently Asked Questions................... Doc. 2
How a Recovery International Example is Constructed.............. Doc. 3
A Sampling of Tools and Terms...................................................... Doc. 4
Constructing an RI Example: A Worksheet .................................. Doc. 5
Basic Concepts.................................................................................... Doc. 6
“You Are Not Alone” Stories ............................................. Doc. 7A – 7F
Examples of Recovery Practice........................................... Doc. 8A – 8B
Section IV: Appendix B RI Discovery Group Structure & Materials
(Items may be copied as needed)
(Materials marked with a document number will be found in the document section
of this Appendix)
Welcome ..................................................................................................... B2
What You Can Expect at a Recovery International Meeting ..... Doc. 1
RI Discovery Quick Facts ........................................................................ B3
RI Discovery Structure ............................................................................. B4
Materials for the Newcomer .................................................................. B10
Policies Governing RI Discovery Meetings ........................................ B11
Section V: Appendix C RI Telephone Meetings Group Structure and
Materials
(Items may be copied as needed)
Welcome Message for Newcomers ........................................................ C3
Welcome to Recovery International Telephone Meetings ................. C4
What to Expect During an RI Telephone Meeting ............................. C5
Group
Leader’sGuide,
Guide, Rev
Jan04/10
2010
RI Group
Leaders’
Rev.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 23 |
Participant Handout
Recovery International Telephone Meetings FAQ’s ........................... C6
Recovery International Phone Meeting Procedures ............................ C8
Policies Governing RI Phone and Online Meetings .........................C15
Books By and About Abraham Low and Recovery International ..C17
Sample Telephone Meeting Schedule ..................................................C19
Section VI: Appendix D RI Online Meetings Group Structure and Materials
(Items may be copied as needed)
What You Can Expect at an RI Online Meeting ................................ D3
Recovery International Online Meetings FAQ’s ................................. D4
Important Information about Online Chats ........................................ D5
Policies Governing RI Phone and Online Meetings .......................... D8
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 24 |
Participant Handout
BASIC CONCEPTS
For more than 70 years, thousands of people all over the world have been using the self-help
method developed by neuropsychiatrist Abraham Low, M.D., to live more peaceful lives. The Low
Self-Help Method is based on these important concepts.
Temper Has Two Faces
Angry Temper: The judgment that the other
person is wrong or has wronged me.
Fearful Temper: The judgment that I am
wrong.
For example: irritation, resentment,
impatience, hatred, disgust, rebellion
For example: worry, feeling of inadequacy,
hopelessness, fear of damage to your
reputation, sense of shame
Living a more peaceful life starts with learning to recognize signs and symptoms of temper, both
angry and fearful.
Environment Has Two Sides
Outer (External) Environment: Everything
outside yourself.
You can’t control any of these: people, events,
the past, the future.
Inner (Internal) Environment: Everything
inside yourself.
You can’t control these: feelings, sensations
You can control these: thoughts, impulses
Realize what you cannot control. Concentrate on what you can control.
Use Your Will
You have the power to choose:
 How you are going to act.
 What you are going to think.
Focus on Everyday Events
Most things that upset us are the routine events in everyday life. Using the Low Self-Help Method
helps us deal more positively and peacefully with the frustrations, challenges and upsets of daily
living.
Practice Self-Endorsement
Give yourself a mental pat on the back for any effort:
 To spot and control your temper.
 To control your thoughts and impulses.
Rev Jan 2010
© Abraham Low Self-Help Systems
Doc.6
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 25 |
Participant Handout
Dictionary of Terms
Averageness: Setting realistic goals, not trying to be exceptional.
Endorsement (self-endorsement): A mental pat on the back, self-praise for effort or control.
Group-minded: Thinking about what is best for your group (family, classmates, friends, etc.).
Self-minded: Asserting individual rights and domination over someone else or those around you.
Outer (external) environment: Everything outside your skin, including people, events, and the past.
Inner (internal) environment: Everything inside your skin, including feelings, sensations, thoughts, and
impulses.
Feelings: Emotions such as anger, impatience, hatred, fear, worry, embarrassment, shame, and many
more. You cannot control your feelings.
Sensations: Physical responses such as blushing, racing heartbeats, tense muscles, teary eyes, and
many more. You cannot control these sensations.
Thoughts: Ideas produced by thinking, such as, “This is fun,” “I can do this,” “He is annoying,” and so
on. You can learn to change your thoughts.
Impulses: What you first want to do, such as to punch, to run, to hug, to laugh, to yell, and so on. You
can learn to control your impulses.
Sabotage: Anything you do to interfere with your goal of managing your anger and fear, such as using
temperamental language, avoiding using the tools, or rebelling.
Temper: The judgment of right and wrong in everyday events. This does not apply to legal, moral, or ethical
issues.
Angry temper: The judgment that someone else is wrong or that someone has done me wrong, and
I become angry. Angry temper can take the form of resentment, impatience, indignation, annoyance,
irritation, disgust, hatred, or rebellion.
Fearful temper: The judgment that I am wrong, and I become fearful or angry at myself. Fearful
temper can take the form of discouragement, preoccupation, worry, embarrassment, sense of shame,
feeling of inadequacy, hopelessness, or despair.
Temperamental deadlock: Quarreling over who is right and who is wrong in everyday situations. It
becomes an angry standoff.
Temperamental language: Exaggerated, negative, or insecure descriptions of experiences. Also, all
language that is alarming and defeating.
Tools: All techniques and concepts used in The Power to Change Program.
Trivialities: Routine events in everyday life.
Vicious cycle: Temper and tenseness that increase the length and intensity of feelings and sensations,
which create more temper and tenseness and lead to defeatism.
Will: The power to choose how you are going to act and what you are going to think.
©Copyright 2014 Recovery International, All Rights Reserved
Recovery International
| 26 |
Participant Handout
105 W. Adams St., Ste. 2940 • Chicago, IL 60603 • www.recoveryinternational.org
© C O P Y R I G H T 2 0 1 4 , A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D TO R E C O V E R Y I N T E R N AT I O N A L .