The purpose of a Sponsor is to guide you through all 12 Steps. To find one, attend as many meetings as possible, whether in-person, online or over the phone. Use the MA Meeting Finder to find meetings. If you live within an MA District/Region contact them first about Sponsorship. It’s likely they can refer you to available Sponsors in your area.
Attending meetings consistently helps you get to know other MA members. You may hear from someone who is living a life of recovery that resonates with you. Step out of your comfort zone and ask if they are willing to Sponsor.
It is ideal if a potential Sponsor has been in recovery long enough to have worked all 12 Steps. Seek someone who has personal and recovery attributes that you admire, who is living life happy, joyous and free.
When working the 12 steps we reveal deep personal secrets that can awaken feelings that effect both the Sponsor and Sponsee. So while there are no set rules when selecting a Sponsor, if you feel that you may become romantically attracted to that person it may threaten the recovery of you both.
Temporary Sponsors and Accountability Partners
If you’d like to start the 12 Steps right away but aren’t finding the “perfect” Sponsor, you might consider asking someone to be your Temporary Sponsor. They can help guide you through the first three steps as you get to know each other better. At any time you are free to evaluate if you’d like to find another Sponsor or continue to work the steps with your Temporary Sponsor.
Perhaps you aren’t yet ready to begin the 12 Steps. We then suggest finding accountability partners. These are MA members who aren’t available to sponsor, they may not have gone through all 12 Steps, they may have been sober a little longer or have a similar sobriety time as you. If you’d both like to share contact information and check-in with each other regularly to share about on your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
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