QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT SPONSORSHIP

Quoted material is from the pamphlet "Questions and Answers on Sponsorship," copyright AA World Services, Inc., reprinted with permission.

What does A.A. mean by sponsorship?

"To join some organizations, you must have a sponsor -- a person who vouches for you, presents you as being suitable for membership. This is definitely not the case with A.A. Anyone who has a desire to stop drinking is welcome to join us!

" ... Essentially, the process of sponsorship is this: An alcoholic who has made some progress in the recovery program shares that experience on a continuous, individual basis with another alcoholic who is attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through A.A.

" ... When we first begin to attend A.A. meetings, we may feel confused and sick and apprehensive. Although people at meetings respond to our questions willingly, that alone isn't enough. Many other questions occur to us between meetings; we find that we need constant, close support as we begin learning how to 'live sober.'

"So we select an A.A. member with whom we can feel comfortable, someone with whom we can talk freely and confidentially, and we ask that person to be our sponsor.

"Whether you are a newcomer who is hesitant about 'bothering' anyone, or a member who has been around for some time trying to go it alone, sponsorship is yours for the asking. We urge you: Do not delay. Alcoholics recovered in A.A. want to share what they have learned with other alcoholics. We know from experience that our own sobriety is greatly strengthened when we give it away!


How should a sponsor be chosen?

"The process of matching newcomer and sponsor is as informal as everything else in A.A. Often, the new person simply approaches a more experienced member who seems compatible, and asks that member to be a sponsor. Most A.A.s are happy and grateful to receive such a request.

" ... There are no specific rules, but a good sponsor probably should be a year or more away from the last drink -- and should seem to be enjoying sobriety."


Should sponsor and newcomer be as much alike as possible?

"Often, a newcomer feels most at ease with a sponsor of similar background and interests. ... But many A.A.s say they were greatly helped by sponsors totally unlike themselves. Maybe that's because their attention was then focused on the most important things that any sponsor and newcomer have in common: alcoholism and recovery in A.A.

"A.A. experience does suggest that it is best for men to sponsor mean, women to sponsor women. This custom usually promotes quick understanding and reduces the likelihood of emotional distractions that might take the newcomer's mind off the purpose of A.A."


What should a newcomer expect from a sponsor?

"An A.A. sponsor does not provide any such services as those offered by a social worker, a doctor, a nurse, or a marriage counselor. A sponsor is simply a sober alcoholic who helps the newcomer solve one problem: how to stay sober."


May a newcomer have more than one sponsor?

"Of course. In fact, a good sponsor sees that the newcomer meets many other seasoned members as soon as possible. The newcomer with more than one sponsor shares in a wide range of experience and hears a great variety of ways to use the A.A. program."


May a newcomer change sponsors?

"Again, the answer is yes. We are always free to select another sponsor with whom we feel more comfortable, particularly if we believe this member will be more helpful to our growth in A.A."


QUESTIONS?

At any time, including right now, feel free to ask questions -- on anything related to A.A.

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