What Is The Role Of An AA Sponsor?

Last year, more than 48.5 million Americans experienced drug and alcohol abuse, dependence, and addiction, medically known as substance use disorder (SUD), SAMHSA reports. During the same period, over 107,500 Americans died from overdoses, and many more were put at risk or experienced lasting mental or physical harm due the effects of drugs and alcohol.

To help people recover from SUD, a wide range of professional treatment options are available, including medical detox programs, outpatient treatment programs, inpatient services, and both short- and long-term residential rehabilitation programs like those here at Bedrock Recovery Center. Using evidence-based approaches and personalized treatment plans, these services help people achieve recovery.

In addition to professional treatment options, many people with addiction also choose to participate in 12-step self-help groups, the most well-known of which are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its counterparts, including Narcotics Anonymous (NA). As part of their active participation in AA, NA, and similar groups, people in recovery are encouraged to find a sponsor to help them as they continue to work toward lasting sobriety and recovery, or to become a sponsor once their own recoveries have progressed.

What Is An AA Sponsor?

While AA is perhaps most famous for its anonymous meetings, open to everyone who desires to stop using alcohol, regardless of their background—including whether or not they are still using alcohol—finding a sponsor is also a core part of the AA program. When someone joins AA, they will be encouraged to find a more experienced member with whom they feel comfortable and can build a trusted relationship.

Sponsors can provide support to the sponsees between meetings, being available as a lifeline and sharing their own knowledge and experience in recovery. At the same time, this act of mentoring and providing support has the effect of encouraging the sponsor in turn, helping hold them accountable and giving them a greater sense of purpose and mission in their own ongoing recovery.

In fact, the sponsor system itself is a part of the 12 steps of AA, as the 12th and final step states, “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

The Responsibilities Of An AA Sponsor

Each sponsee/sponsor partnership is a unique relationship.

However, as part of their role, all sponsors should be prepared to:

• be accessible in case their sponsee has a crisis and needs immediate support
• set aside regular time to meet with their sponsee, either face-to-face, online, or over the phone
• ask their sponsee about their progress, not only in staying sober but also in working through the 12 steps
• explain the 12 steps and answer questions as they come up
• encourage their sponsee to carry on, keep attending meetings, and make positive and healthy choices
• be honest, compassionate, trusting, and private with their sponsee, not shying away from difficult topics like relapse
• model good, proactive behavior in their own recovery

Can Anyone In AA Be A Sponsor?

Yes, but not right away. Sponsors often play an extremely important role in the lives and recoveries of those they mentor, and it is important that they be trustworthy and up for the task. As such, AA has published a list of requirements for members who would become sponsors, as well as other resources.

In order to be a sponsor in AA, the organization strongly advises that a person must:

• be someone who has fought addiction in the past
• have been sober for an extended period of time, preferably more than one year
• have experience working with their own sponsor and progressing through the program
• be successfully applying the AA program in their own daily life
• be happy to be sober
• have enough time for regular one-on-one meetings

In addition, it is strongly advised that sponsors and sponsees be individuals who do not feel sexual attraction toward each other, as this can detract from success in the program and thus in overall recovery.

Finding An AA Sponsor

AA meetings provide a variety of opportunities for newcomers to connect with others and form mutually supportive relationships. Oftentimes, established participants who meet the requirements to be a sponsor will volunteer and let their group know they are available as part of their 12th step. Other times, relationships may form more naturally as people connect before, during, and after meetings. Many people are also connected through introductions made by friends or family who are supportive of their recovery.

If you are interested in forming a relationship with a sponsor, go to your local meeting and ask. They are there to help.

12-Step Programs And Addiction Treatment At BRC

If you’ve been wondering “what is an AA sponsor?” it may mean you suspect that you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol use and needs help. Whether you are ready to work with a sponsor or not, attending a self-help group like AA, NA, SMART Recovery, or others is a great way to access unconditional support, encouragement, and guidance in your recovery.

At Bedrock Recovery Center in Canton, MA, we are proud to support the recoveries of Bay Staters and others from across the United States with leading, evidence-based addiction treatment services like medical detoxification, behavioral therapy, medication-assisted treatment, psychoeducation, aftercare support, dual diagnosis treatment, and more. You will also have options for a variety of peer support groups, including AA, NA, SMART Recovery, and others. Contact us today to learn more about all of your treatment options.