Sponsorship

The Hard Truth about Sponsors

I have sponsored and been sponsored. Long-sober members often describe their sponsors with reverence. But if they talk long enough, they sometimes admit that the person who first helped them get sober is no longer sober themselves.

By |2024-07-17T09:49:14-05:00December 25, 2014|Comments Off on The Hard Truth about Sponsors

On Sponsoring Others

When I was sober just over three months, a younger man asked me to sponsor him. He was shy and new to SA and I didn’t want to say no, so I said that I would be his temporary sponsor. When I called my sponsor to tell him what happened, he seemed skeptical and emphasized that I should definitely think of this as only temporary, since I myself was new to sobriety and Step work.

By |2024-07-17T10:25:27-05:00December 27, 2013|Comments Off on On Sponsoring Others

Being There for Others

During my years in SA, I’ve been both a sponsor and a sponsee. My drawing below is about both of those experiences.

By |2024-09-09T14:18:42-05:00June 28, 2013|Comments Off on Being There for Others

Sponsorship

Sponsorship in SA has been a great blessing for me, and continues to be a (sometimes humbling) learning experience. In fact, I learn as much from the men I sponsor as I have from my sponsors!

By |2024-08-02T15:23:06-05:00March 28, 2009|Comments Off on Sponsorship

Sponsorship in SA

For me, honesty is the basis of a sponsorship relationship. I’m honest with my sponsor right away if a behavior is becoming a problem. I’m honest with her about what situations I must avoid. I also know what I am able to handle without problems.

By |2024-09-09T15:29:01-05:00March 1, 2008|Comments Off on Sponsorship in SA

Stepping Back

This sponsor/friend thing has been emotional for both of us. I have so much life stuff going on that I haven’t been dealing with my feelings around our relationship. Part of me doesn’t know how. I’ve never been in this situation before. To be a sponsor is one thing, it’s more cut and dried. A friend is another thing completely; it takes the “conditions” out.

By |2024-09-09T15:40:35-05:00June 11, 2007|Comments Off on Stepping Back

What is Sponsorship?

In Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill W. and Dr. Bob speak of their need to seek out other alcoholics or they could not stay sober. This need was not based on a desire to fix other drunks, but rather to share with others their truths regarding alcohol in their lives, and their need for a relationship with God, the One who could help them live without alcohol.

By |2024-08-12T17:45:09-05:00June 11, 2007|Comments Off on What is Sponsorship?

Spotlight on Sponsorship

My sobriety date is January 1, 1991. The longer I am sober, the more I need a meeting because I am close to a relapse. Why, you may ask? Well, there are a lot of new people, but not a lot of people with long-term recovery. That tells me that I am closer than ever to relapse. What I have been doing has been working for me, so I keep doing it.

By |2025-08-06T13:36:39-05:00December 11, 2006|Comments Off on Spotlight on Sponsorship

Dear ESSAY

Have you reached the point where you can admit that stopping lusting might be possible, but you cannot slow down? When I first started going to SA, I just wanted to slow down. I was so deep into the lust world that I did not see lust as a problem. I just wanted to stop masturbating compulsively and have a real relationship with a woman.

By |2025-01-13T12:34:36-06:00December 8, 2001|Comments Off on Dear ESSAY

Check Meetings (also known as “group sponsorship”)

Need: Often a sponsee will have a problem that does not readily yield to the sponsor’s efforts or is outside his or her knowledge or recovery experience or ability to deal with it. In such cases, there can be great wisdom and breakthrough by bringing the issue to a small, select group of trusted members, together, under God.

By |2025-03-26T12:30:39-05:00June 25, 1994|Comments Off on Check Meetings (also known as “group sponsorship”)