Recovery article

Spot Check Inventory: The Daily Mental Health Check-In for Recovery

A spot check inventory is a two-minute mid-day mental health check adapted from Step 10 — designed to catch emotional buildup before it becomes a crisis. Here is what it is, how to do it, and when to use it.

Article summary

A spot check inventory is a two-minute mid-day mental health check adapted from Step 10 — designed to catch emotional buildup before it becomes a crisis. Here is what it is, how to do it, and when to use it.

Key topics include What Is a Spot Check Inventory?, How to Do a Spot Check Inventory in Two Minutes, When to Use a Spot Check.

What this article covers

  • What Is a Spot Check Inventory?
  • How to Do a Spot Check Inventory in Two Minutes
  • When to Use a Spot Check
  • How the Spot Check Differs From the Nightly Inventory

Frequently asked questions

What is a spot check inventory in AA?

A spot check inventory is a brief, informal version of Step 10 inventory done in the moment — typically a 2-to-5 minute pause to examine your current emotional state across four categories: resentful, selfish, dishonest, and afraid. It is used to catch emotional disturbance early, before it builds into the kind of restlessness or irritability that can fuel relapse.

How do you do a spot check in recovery?

Pause, breathe, and honestly ask yourself four questions: Am I resentful right now? Am I being selfish? Am I being dishonest (with myself or others)? Am I afraid? For any yes, briefly note the source, acknowledge it without judgment, and decide on one action — whether that is letting it go, making a brief amend, or calling your sponsor.

What is Step 10 spot check?

Step 10 says: "Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it." The spot check is the mid-day, in-the-moment application of that principle — as opposed to the nightly inventory, which is a more thorough review at day's end. It is designed for use during the day when emotional disturbance arises, not as a replacement for the formal nightly practice.

How often should I do a spot check inventory?

At minimum, once per day as a mid-day anchor — many people pair it with lunch or a mid-afternoon break. Additionally, use it situationally: before a difficult conversation, immediately after a conflict or uncomfortable interaction, when you notice irritability or craving building, or whenever you catch yourself in distorted thinking.