So you’ve completed rehab and started your 12-step group meetings and your addiction counsellor suggests that it’s time to get a sponsor.
You might be thinking: “A sponsor? Why? How do I even get one?”
It’s actually quite simple. You’ll more than likely find sponsor at the group meetings you’re already attending.
Sponsors are the real reason why organisations such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are effective as in these meetings, addicts help each other achieve long term sobriety.
Sponsors will be there for recovering addicts when they need support, guidance and even when they think they might suffer a relapse.
They are people that will encourage you through the recovery process, give you criticism when it is needed and provide you with strength by sharing their own experiences of recovery.
You might feel scared or shy to ask someone you hardly know to become your sponsor, which is perfectly okay, but remember that these people were also once in your shoes and they had to go through the same feelings that you’re experiencing now.
The importance of finding someone plays a big role in recovery and in this article; we’ll tell you how to choose a sponsor.
There are no special instructions needed when choosing a sponsor, but there are a few things that required. For example, the person you choose has to be the same gender as yourself. Why? Well because you’ll be discussing personal issues with the individual, it’s important to feel comfortable with them and it’s been discovered that people relate better to someone of the same sex.
Another requirement is to pick someone who has done the entire 12-step Programme before and has achieved a minimum of one year’s sobriety.
The risk of suffering a relapse is at its highest during the first 12 months of recovery, therefore choosing a sponsor who has yet to hit one year of sobriety is not always favourable.
The sponsor will need to be able to actually live the 12-step program and remain clean and sober. He or she should also be sensible, trustworthy and calm.
Choose someone that you can relate and look up to as “that’s where I’d like to be one day”. Finding a person similar to yourself makes confiding your personal information with them much easier than with an individual you have nothing in common with.
Asking Your Preferred Candidate
Now that you know someone of the requirements, it’s important to know how to approach your ideal sponsor. It might seem tough, but it’s really not.
“Hello, I’m ………., would you be my sponsor?” It’s as simple as that.
9 out of 10 times, you’ll most probably be given a warm response. There person could either say yes, or no with a reason why they are declining. The person may even introduce you to someone else who is available to be your sponsor.
Getting treatment for your addiction was tough; getting a sponsor should be a walk in the park compared to it.