A sponsor in AA is someone who is kind and caring and willingly devotes his or her time to an addict or alcoholic free of charge is known as a sponsor. Even though a sponsor in AA can play a few different roles, from advisor to a friend they should all have the same goal; to help addicts and alcoholics achieve and maintain sobriety.
Something that all sponsors should understand is that they are not the parents of the addict or alcoholic but more of a mentor. They should teach and give advice through things they have personally experienced or things they have learned from their sponsor.
The primary purpose of a sponsor in AA should be to bring someone who is struggling through the 12 steps of AA.To almost be their guide through the big book. Some sponsors may do more and offer up rides to meetings, help find employment or housing and even offer up their friendship. The long term goal is simple; help lead that person who is struggling to a positive and productive drug/alcohol free life.
Some sponsees will call their sponsor when faced with some tough choices in life. It is not a sponsors job or duty to help in this situation but many choose to give their advice out of the kindness in their heart. Some sponsees will abuse their sponsor’s kindness and call with smaller problems that have come about throughout day to day life, once again this is not the sponsor’s duty to help in this situation but many choose to help.
A sponsor in AA should be the same-sex of their sponsee, it is not 100% a requirement but it is definitely strongly suggested.
In one of the pamphlets of AA it says:
“Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is a potential sponsor of a new member and should clearly recognize the obligations and duties of such responsibility.
The acceptance of an opportunity to take the AA plan to a sufferer of alcoholism entails very real and critically important responsibilities. Each member, undertaking the sponsorship of a fellow alcoholic, must remember that he is offering what is frequently the last chance of rehabilitation, sanity or maybe life itself.
Happiness, Health, Security, Sanity and Life of human beings are the things we hold in balance when we sponsor an alcoholic.
No member among us is wise enough to develop a sponsorship program that can be successfully applied in every case.”
But how can someone find a sponsor in AA? Some groups may have different protocol for this but in most situations the struggling addict/alcoholic will walk up to someone who they feel some sort of connection with, and ask them to be their sponsor. Sounds pretty simple right? Many people find it hard to ask someone this simple question and it is often compared to asking someone to a dance in middle school. Don’t feel weird about this, chances are anyone you are asking has asked someone before.
If you are a sponsor first of all, congratulations and thank you for being so selfless. Secondly you yourself have a lot to gain by being a sponsor in AA. It is said in the literature of AA that;
“No one reaps full benefit from any fellowship he is connected with unless he whole-heartedly engages in its important activities. The expansion of Alcoholics Anonymous to wider fields of greater benefit to more people results directly from the addition of new, worth-while members or associates.
Any AA. who has not experienced the joys and satisfaction of helping another alcoholic regain his place in life has not yet fully realized the complete benefits of this fellowship. On the other hand, it must be clearly kept in mind that the only possible reason for bringing an alcoholic into AA. is for that person’s gain. Sponsorship should never be undertaken to -
- 1. Increase the size of the group
2. For personal satisfaction and glory
3. Because the sponsor feels it his duty to re-make the world”
If you or a loved one are currently struggling and need help finding a detox or inpatient rehab center please reach out to us at 1-866-323-6590.
