Recovery International Changing Its Name
Oh, great. I have a hard time remembering names as it is, because depression can make your concrentration fuzzy and now the self-help mental health program I’ve touted on this blog recently is undergoing a radical name change. A few years ago, they had a minor name change from Recovery, Incorporated to Recovery International but this name name change is a whopper — RI will now be (drumroll please):
Abraham Low Self-Help Systems.
Why the Name Change?
RI — no, wait, I guess it’s ALSHS now — has been vague on why the radical change of names and eventually, overhaul of the website. Even long-time members (like my Mom) are still scratching their heads over the decision from the Chicago-based headquarters. Most of the long-term members that I’ve talked to (oh, about five) say they are going to ignore the name change and call the group meetings “whatever they darn welll feel like”.
There is one possible reason for the name change — the word “recovery” does allude to addiction recovery, rather than recovery from anxious thughts and being a prisoner from your depression symptoms. Sooner rather than later, an alcoholic or drug addict wanders into a meeting, not realizing what it’s all about.
Other Groups With Recovery In The Name
There are many non-profit (and for-profit) organizations that use the word “recovery” in their name. These include:
- Christian Recovery International: This is a faith-based addiction program with another for vicims of abuse. Abraham Low Self-Help System is not affiliated with any religion and discourages any talk of religion or politics at the meetings.
- Abortion Recovery International: clueless fools who have no lives, so they have to browbeat others into feeling bad about theirs in order to feel morally superior. That’s my opinon. I’m pro-choice and anti-organized religion, if you can’t already tell.
- Crisis Recovery International: which includes a variety of service projects, including mental health help.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Abraham Low Self-Help Systems is intended to be an organization that facilitates the Recovery International fellowship and The Power to Change program (what seemed to be the man center of attention of the Abraham Low Institute). It’s not intended to replace either.
When I heard about the change I also had mixed feelings, but rather or not it was intended I see one clear advantage: fusion.
Let me explain what I mean, baby boomers are the predominate demographic in Recovery meetings, and the number of these meetings has been shrinking. Shrinking the distance between the two programs is likely to bring the 14-18 year-olds and ex-prisoners in the Power to Change groups closer to the seasoned and wise Recovery veterans. Passing the torch, and also bringing Low’s message to the people who need it the most.
“Most of the long-term members that I’ve talked to (oh, about five) say they are going to ignore the name change and call the group meetings whatever ‘they darn welll feel like.’”
I spotted a little temper there.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Nervous patients are a feisty lot
Thanks for fleshing this out, Craig. It is appreciated.