Sponsors are people who have been through the same processes of recovery that you’re experiencing now.
Both in NA and AA programs, sponsorship is recommended as a vital part of the recovery process. Engaging with a sponsor can help you stay sober and navigate through the harsh waves of recovery.
What Does a Sponsor Do?
A dedicated sponsor can be your best confidant who understands exactly what you’re going through, listens to your experiences, and helps to encourage and motivate you in your sobriety.
Here’s how a sponsor can help you:
- They keep you from feeling alone by sharing their own experiences and helping you manage your struggles with dependency.
- When you’re depressed or overwhelmed and near a relapse, a sponsor can bring you out of these feelings by sharing hope and strength.
- Your sponsor is there to hear the stories that you’ve never told out of the fear of judgement. Sharing your deepest thoughts with a sponsor can be immensely helpful in the recovery process.
- If you start isolating yourself from others or skip meetings, your sponsor helps you to stay strong and consistent for a successful recovery.
- You can receive sources of motivation, including recommendations for meetings that you will want to attend, speaker events, prayers, and other recovery related literature, etc.
- If you’re a newcomer who hesitates to speak up in the meetings or volunteer, your sponsor can give you that push you may need to step out of your comfort zone.
- Relapses are common in the process of recovery. A sponsor can help you differentiate between activities that may or may not lead toward a relapse.
Although there are numerous benefits of accessing a good sponsor, remember that a sponsor won’t be your therapist, best friend, or a romantic partner. Your sponsor will help you develop self-reliance rather than leaning on your family for needed supports.
Choose your sponsor wisely and stay dedicated to your process of recovery. There are better days ahead!