Select your language:

What is a Sponsor in Addiction Recovery?

We will give you the support and guidance you need to get started on the road of long-term recovery.

Get Help with Addiction Treatment

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

What is a Sponsor? How Do I Pick One?

What is a sponsor? A sponsor is a sober man or woman who has been through the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and guides others through the steps.
Think of a sponsor as a combination of a built-in support system and an AA role model. A sponsor is someone that you admire for one reason or another, and someone that you trust enough to open up to completely. AA is a program based on peer support. In order to get and stay sober, you must learn to communicate your thoughts and feelings with other people in a healthy and productive way. Not only does your sponsor serve as a sounding board and a shining example of the gifts of sobriety, but he or she will teach you how to develop and foster a meaningful bond with another person.

Your Teen's Transformation Starts
Here

Choose recovery and take control of your life, it’s the path to a brighter future filled with health, happiness, and fulfillment.

What is a Sponsor?
How Do I Pick One?

What is a sponsor? A sponsor is a sober man or woman who has been through the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and guides others through the steps.

Think of a sponsor as a combination of a built-in support system and an AA role model. A sponsor is someone that you admire for one reason or another, and someone that you trust enough to open up to completely. AA is a program based on peer support. In order to get and stay sober, you must learn to communicate your thoughts and feelings with other people in a healthy and productive way. Not only does your sponsor serve as a sounding board and a shining example of the gifts of sobriety, but he or she will teach you how to develop and foster a meaningful bond with another person.

How to Choose the Right Sponsor for You

Many people say that asking someone to sponsor them feels like asking someone out on a date for the first time. It can be an intimidating experience — you’re approaching someone you might have never met and essentially asking them if you can completely pour your heart out to them over and over again. It can be a little bit awkward at first. You might feel uncomfortable, but rest assured that this feeling is completely normal. As soon as you sit down over a cup of coffee or tea, one-on-one, with your sponsor, this discomfort diminishes quickly. You begin to understand how important it is to develop meaningful human connection.

It is important you feel comfortable with your sponsor after the first few meetings. Remember that if you don’t feel comfortable, or if you feel like maybe your sponsor doesn’t actually possess qualities you admire, it is okay to switch sponsors. However, if you take time to consider the following before choosing a sponsor, there is a good chance  you will not have to make that switch.

When choosing a sponsor, ask yourself the following questions:

  • How much clean time does this person have?
  • Does this person have traits and characteristics that I admire? (remember that applicable traits are things like self-confidence, ample clean time, a happy family life, or the ability to completely light up a room… a Mustang convertible and a Gucci belt are not “traits,” they are possessions)
  • Have you heard this person share more than once at AA or NA meetings?
  • Do you relate to what they say?
  • Does this person raise their hand when the meeting leader asks if anyone is available to take on more sponsees?
  • Does this person already have a bunch of sponsees, but continuously takes on more and more regardless? Something to keep an eye out for is a person who continues to take on sponsees every time he or she is asked. It is important to find a sponsor who isn’t being spread too thin, and who has enough time to meet up with you regularly.
  • Does this person have a sponsor themselves? Sponsorship “families” (grand-sponsors who have sponsees who also have sponsees) can be extremely beneficial in early recovery and offer a sense of belonging 
  • Does this person hold a service position? Do they show up consistently?

Some other things to avoid when choosing a sponsor:

  • When choosing a sponsor, try to avoid picking someone of the opposite sex. Men generally stick with men, women generally stick with women.
  • Avoid choosing someone who has been unable to stay sober for an extended period of time. For example, a “chronic relapser.” Even if you like what they have to say, remember to “stick with the winners” (in other words, people with substantial and consistent clean time).
  • Avoid choosing someone who has a reputation for engaging in less-than-favorable behavior or has a negative attitude.
  • When choosing a sponsor, avoid choosing someone just because you think they will go easy on you. A “tough love” approach is often a good route to take.

Complimentary Insurance Check
Find Out Today!

"*" indicates required fields

Name
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

How Do I Get a Sponsor?

Once you think a person might make a good sponsor for you, you simply ask that person. If you feel uncomfortable asking them at the meeting, it is perfectly acceptable to ask them for their phone number or ask them to grab a cup of coffee after the meeting with you so you can get to know them one-on-one. Simply tell the person you are looking for a sponsor. Most individuals are happy to explore the possibility and get to know you better. If a person tells you they aren’t taking on sponsees, do not take it personally. It is better a person declines to sponsor you who might not have the time to dedicate to the relationship. It is not personal. Brush it off and ask the next person whom you admire. And remember, the person does not have to have the exact life you want — it is more important that you trust they have worked the steps with their sponsor and can take you through the same process. If you feel they can do that, then don’t worry if you are quite different. You might learn a lot from someone who is very different than you.

What Does a Sponsor Do?

What does a sponsor do, exactly? The most obvious role that a sponsor fills is walking people through the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. This is really the only requirement when it comes to sponsorship. However, most men and women who take on sponsees choose to fill the following roles as well:

  • A sponsor will be available to pick up the phone – When you are experiencing emotional turmoil or trouble in your life, your sponsor should be the first person you think to call. They will help you calmly find a solution. Of course, no one is available around-the-clock, and if you choose a sponsor who has a life of his or her own, there is a good chance that this person won’t be available every time you call. But if you leave a voicemail detailing why you called and what you need help with, he or she should call back. Remember that your sobriety is not your sponsor’s responsibility, and if for whatever reason he or she is unavailable, you can and should reach out to other people in AA. It is a good idea to have a strong network of people with solid sobriety you feel comfortable calling.
  • A sponsor is there to help keep you accountable. – This is why your sponsor typically requests that you call to check in or say “hi” once a day, and why he or she will instruct you to make at least one 12-step meeting on a daily basis too. In early recovery we have a hard time figuring out what is best for us. We might assume that skipping our daily meeting so that we can go to the beach with friends is a bright idea, or that getting into a relationship with that heartthrob from detox is a no-brainer. Our sponsor is there to keep us in check and remind us that our best thinking got us to where we are today.
  • A sponsor acts as a reminder of what you can achieve if you stay on the right track – This is why it is so important to choose someone that you look up to and admire. If you ever start to feel down on yourself, or if you ever start to feel like staying sober might not be worth it, simply look at how far your sponsor has come.

Sponsorship in Alcoholics Anonymous

What does your sponsor do as far as the 12 steps, other than walk you through them? He or she teaches you about each step individually — what it means, why it works and what principle it pairs with. Your sponsor teaches you the prayers that coincide with the steps, and listens to you go over your fourth step. This is a big one — because it is so crucial that your fourth step is comprehensive and that you really get into the nitty-gritty. It is important that you trust your sponsor enough to openly share your secrets. Your sponsor teaches you the importance of prayer and meditation, and helps you prepare to take other people through the steps when that time comes.

The History Behind Sponsorship

When Bill W., the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, first conceived of the AA program, the word “sponsor” did not exist, but the concept of mentorship did. If you’re not familiar with Bill W.’s story, he was a low-bottom alcoholic who was facing his own death from alcoholism. While in the hospital, he had a white-light experience that alleviated his alcoholism just enough for him to leave sober. He was sober and doing well for a time, but one evening he felt a strong urge to drink. The story goes that Bill was standing in the lobby of a hotel. He looked over at the glitzy bar — people drinking merrily, celebrating and making liquor look glamourous. He knew he didn’t want to drink, but felt a strong pull.

But then a thought came to him as if divinely placed: “You need another alcoholic to talk to,” the thought said. “You need another alcoholic just as much as he needs you!’

Instead of going to the bar, he went to a phone booth. He called hospitals looking for another alcoholic whom he could help. When he finally got through to a hospital receptive to the idea of him coming in to speak with a patient, he jetted over. He was sent to speak bedside with another man who had been struggling with alcoholism in the same way Bill had been. That man was Dr. Bob.

Bonded by their common struggles, Bill W. and Dr. Bob became the first two members of Alcoholics Anonymous. The word “sponsor” was not used, but Bill carried the message to Dr. Bob, who in turn safeguarded his own sobriety by mentoring countless other alcoholics. Through sharing, both of AA’s co-founders discovered that their sobriety relied on them helping others. And, they found, that through serving others, their own sober lives were enriched beyond measure.

Over time the idea of sponsorship became more formalized. Now it is suggested that any individual looking to get sober should get a sponsor to guide them through the recovery process.

AA’s literature describes sponsorship as: “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.”

Our Locations 

Our Facilities & Teams Transform Lives

Changing lives by providing comprehensive support and rehabilitation, empowering individuals to overcome addiction and regain control of their health and well-being.

Comprehensive Recovery

At Guardian Recovery we take a comprehensive approach to recovery with an intensive focus on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Countless studies point toward the fact that the most effective addiction treatment includes a 12-step approach coupled with intensive behavioral therapy. While all of the treatment centers and medical detox facilities in our network focus on the steps, we are proud to offer one of the only true 12-step immersion programs in the country. To learn more about our available treatment options or to learn more about the ins and outs of sponsorship, contact us today.

SELF-ASSESSMENT:

Do I have an Addiction issue?

Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.

Sources

Get Local Help

Questions?
Learn More About the Recovery Process

Reviewed professionally for accuracy by:

Ryan Soave

L.M.H.C.

Ryan Soave brings deep experience as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, certified trauma therapist, program developer, and research consultant for Huberman Lab at Stanford University Department of Neurobiology. Post-graduation from Wake Forest University, Ryan quickly discovered his acumen for the business world. After almost a decade of successful entrepreneurship and world traveling, he encountered a wave of personal and spiritual challenges; he felt a calling for something more. Ryan returned to school and completed his Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. When he started working with those suffering from addiction and PTSD, he found his passion. He has never looked back.

Written by:

Picture of Cayla Clark

Cayla Clark

Cayla Clark grew up in Santa Barbara, CA and graduated from UCLA with a degree in playwriting. Since then she has been writing on addiction recovery and psychology full-time, and has found a home as part of the Guardian Recovery team.

More About Author

Check Insurance Coverage

Find out today what options are available to you. Fill out the form below.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Do it for YOU, Do it for LOVED ones

Recovery Starts Now

Once you submit the form, staff will contact you via phone or email within 24 hours for a free, confidential, and no-obligation conversation to discuss your needs and/or those of a loved one.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Take the First Step Toward Lasting Change

Live a BRIGHTER Future Today!

Guardian Recovery is here to assist you in your journey of healing.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Do it for YOU, Do it for LOVED ones

Medical Disclaimer:

The information provided on this website is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. Guardian Recovery aims to improve the quality of life for individuals struggling with substance use or mental health disorders by offering fact-based content about behavioral health conditions, treatment options, and related outcomes. However, this information should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Important Notes:

The content on this site is believed to be current and accurate at the time of posting, but medical information is constantly evolving.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns about your health or medical condition.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Guardian Recovery does not provide free medical advice. For personalized treatment recommendations, please consult with a licensed healthcare professional.

By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this disclaimer. Guardian Recovery and its affiliates disclaim any liability for the use or interpretation of information contained herein. SEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS