Whatever level of service one performs, all are toward the same end sharing the overall responsibilities of alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous aa is an international mutual aid fellowship with the stated purpose of enabling its members to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. Helping others newcomers is the foundation stone of your recovery. The sponsorship idea is an integral part of the alcoholics anonymous set up, and part of its social support network. A service sponsor presents the various aspects of service to the sponsee, and assists the sponsee in making informed decisions. The aim of this study was to explore the roles of alcoholics anonymous aa sponsors and to describe the characteristics of a. Bible that has remained largely unchanged since it was first written is the word sponsor even mentioned.
This is because of the aa traditions of not endorsing outside enterprises tradition 6 and of remaining nonprofessional tradition 8. Aa program participants follow a set of recovery steps to achieve and maintain abstinence from alcohol. Typically, when we come into the program, we want to share our. Sponsorship can be defined as one alcoholic who has made some progress in recovery andor performance in service, sharing this experience with another alcoholic who is just starting the journey. Is it beneficial to have an alcoholics anonymous sponsor. Oapp overeaters anonymous primary purpose oapp menu. For the purposes of this pamphlet, an na sponsor is a member of narcotics anonymous, living our. Pdf version based upon the text of the windows help version and published by arid media. By personal opinion is an alcoholic who is sober for a good amount of time. Request a temporary online sponsor alcoholics anonymous. Most members think of a sponsor, first and foremost, as someone who can help us work the twelve steps of na, and. Completing a rehabilitation program is a major accomplishment. For further study, it is suggested that you get a copy of the big book of alcoholics anonymous.
The eaa group has men and women available for temporary sponsorship and to help answer any questions you may have regarding alcoholics anonymous. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. With step two we learn that we are not alone, and tha. An exploratory investigation of important qualities and. Our notes, commentary, and genderinclusive changes are formatted in italics. Here he shares insights into step two of aa, alcoholics anonymous 12 steps. A guide to teaching and learning the program of aa. Alcoholics anonymous aa sponsorship is associated with better recovery outcomes, but little is known about the types of people who assume sponsorship roles. We are a fellowship of people who have recovered from the illness of compulsive eating by following the program of. Its faithbased 12step program dominates treatment in the united states. Pdf does sponsorship improve outcomes above alcoholics. In the 12 step program of alcoholics anonymous each member is encouraged to get a sponsor. So not drinking at allthat is, staying soberbecomes the basis of recovery from alcoholism. Demand for what came to be known as the white book has grown, and it is now being made available in this new and revised edition.
Maaez na, too making alcoholics anonymous easier developed by lee ann kaskutas and edward oberste alcohol research group berkeley, ca 94709 acknowledgments. Pdf an exploratory investigation of important qualities and. He has the 12 steps in his life and abides by them. A sponsor may listen supportively and sympathetically to the sponsees most basic and private questions and reactions. Alcoholics anonymous sponsors are not able to provide psychological therapy or medical advice to members, but a sponsor can encourage the new member to seek medical help if needed. One of the most important traditions in aa is sponsorship while sponsorship exists in other programs, too, well use aa in this article for simplification. Sponsorship offers the satisfaction that comes from assuming. Originally proposed by alcoholics anonymous aa as a method of recovery from alcoholism, the twelve steps were first published in the 1939 book alcoholics anonymous. Service sponsorship district 22 southwest texas area. An exploratory investigation of the alcoholics anonymous sponsor. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous.
How to be an effective sponsor in recovery with alcoholics anonymous following the inspiration written by alcoholics anonymous. World services and its subsidiaries were not involved within the production of this specific work. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism, how to be an effective sponsor makes the circle complete by being a sponsor. The aa program of recovery is set forth in the twelve steps aa was founded in 1935 in akron, ohio. Luckily, aa is a great resourceit provides support, structure, and a pathway to lifelong recovery. The people, the sponsorship in alcoholics anonymous, is why i am alive today, and to that end is why alcoholics anonymous lives on. The story of how more than one hundred men have recovered from. Two hundred fortyfive adults 117 females, 128 males currently in substance use disorder recovery participated. Whatever level of service one performs, all is toward the same end. Some people who are court ordered to go to meetings may feel resentful about being forced to attend. The irrationality of alcoholics anonymous the atlantic.
But finding the right sponsor is critical to the success of the relationship. The role of a sponsor in alcoholics anonymous and how to. Sponorship is not ordained or regulated by the aa program. Communication and social support in alcoholics anonymous. This is the official website of the general service office g. Twelvestep ts therapy, based upon alcoholics anonymous aa doctrine and practice, is the prevailing alcohol treatment model in the united. Alcoholics anonymous aa attendance is predictive of increased abstinence for many problem drinkers and treatment referral to aa is common. Stepwork downloads bba formats you will need the big book of alcoholics anonymous large print or hard cover recommended and the big book awakening workbook. A sponsor is someone who shares their experience, strength and hope in the program.
Sponsorship has emerged as a unique relationship within alcoholics anonymous and. Printing a single copy of this item is permitted, in accordance with the a. Strong encouragement to acquire an aa sponsor is likewise. Aside from being available for the new member during difficult times, an alcoholics anonymous sponsor should also take an active interest in helping the new. Breaking down step two of aa alcoholics anonymous jason.
Alcoholics anonymous is an inclusive support group where people go to get sober. Sixteen years have elapsed between our first printing of this book and the presentation of 1955 of our second edition. Selecting a sponsor is a vital part of the 12step recovery journey and, for many, a key to maintaining sobriety. View by list a brief guide to alcoholics anonymous a. Foreword this booklet is intended to be a practical guide for new members and sponsors of new members of alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous aa considers sponsorship an important element of the aa program, especially in early recovery. This sober oldtimer composed this with the help of a. Sponsorship in aa 6 characteristics of a good sponsor discovery. Alcoholics anonymous sponsorship explained the word sponsor derives from the latin word spondere which means to make a promise.
Strong encouragement to acquire an aa sponsor is likewise typical, and findings about the benefits associated with social support for abstinence in aa support this practice, at least indirectly. Whether youre a member of alcoholics anonymous, cocaine anonymous, drug addicts anonymous, narcotics anonymous or any other anonymous 12 step based fellowshipwere here to share our experience, strength and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from any and all addictions. Anonymous na, cocaine anonymous ca, overeaters anonymous oa, or adult children of alcoholics acawho want to take advantage of the special resource of sponsorship. Each member of alcoholics anonymous is a potential sponsor of a new member and should clearly recognize the obligations and duties of such responsibility. This guide and website are not official resources of alcoholics anonymous. Already, continues the early text, twos and threes and fives of us have sprung up in other communities. The word sponsor is not even mentioned in the first 164 pages of the basic text of the big book.
Primary purpose oapp each group has but one primary purpose to carry its message to the compulsive eater who still suffers. It also explains how to help a sponsee work each of the twelve steps. Sponsorship pamphlet by clarence snyder 1944 this is the first pamphlet ever written concerning sponsorship. Sponsorship in alcoholics anonymous area 53 general service. I have heard so many great things about alcohol anonymous groups. Big book sponsorship 12 step recovery from any and all. Alcoholics anonymous recommends members to have sponsors, especially those early in their recovery, yet little research has been done on the qualities of an effective sponsor. It is a relationship in its own right, and admittedly, goes well beyond the reach of the addicts most avid supporters. Aa does not sponsor or conduct research into alcoholism or its treatment, nor does aa endorse any treatment program or method. Oct 28, 2019 the alcoholics anonymous aa 12step recovery program is a free treatment program for people suffering from alcohol abuse and addiction. A sponsor should make it easier for the newcomer to meet other alcoholics.
Pdf the aim of this study was to explore the roles of alcoholics anonymous aa sponsors and to describe the characteristics of a sample of. Changing sponsors in alcoholics anonymous read more. Haywood county and the remaining western counties are listed on the district 80 website. Many people use a sponsor to help them through the process.
Aa is nonprofessional, selfsupporting, and apolitical. Twelve steps and twelve traditions x alcoholics anonymous. As they say in the book alcoholics anonymous, recovery begins when one alcoholic talks with another alcoholic, sharing experience, strength, and hope. Why is it important to have a sponsor in the alcoholics anonymous program. Narcotics, addiction, recovery, alcoholics, twelve steps, anonymous groups, thirteenth step, lions, tigers, and bears alcoholics anonymous. If a newcomer has received a thorough course of treatment and indoctrination in an alcoholism program outside a. The booklet is designed to give you a practical explanation of what to do and what not to do in your search for sobriety.
Getting sober is hard, and we shouldnt have to do it alone. Adapted from alcoholics anonymous tradition 5, big book pages 562 and 563. Please use the form below to request a temporary sponsor. However, you will probably want to discuss with your sponsor some of the incidents on these worksheets. Rice university of new mexico alcoholics anonymous aa attendance is predictive of increased abstinence for many problem drinkers. He has a home group, he has a sponsor, he is active in that home group. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism, how to be an effective sponsor makes the circle complete by being a sponsor in aa. But researchers have debunked central tenets of aa doctrine and found dozens of. Alcoholics anonymous is a worldwide fellowship of recovering alcoholics who share their experiences with each other in order to solve their.
Just dont do drugs you can go to a program called na or narcotics anonymous and get a sponsor and get help and. You may contact aa at alcoholics anonymous world services. You likely dont know what to expect and may have preconceived ideas about aa from the media, pop culture, and other alcoholics. Does sponsorship improve outcomes above alcoholics anonymous attendance. Strong encouragement to acquire an aa sponsor is likewise typical, and findings about the benefits associated. Sponsorship in alcoholics anonymous victory recovery. I reached out to an oldtimer in alcoholics anonymous, and asked for his worksheet on sponsorship. Rice university of new mexico alcoholics anonymous aa attendance is predictive of increased abstinence for many problem drinkers and treatment referral to aa is common. Generally, however, our experience is that the best meeting to attend is the first one you can. This book discusses what a sponsor does, how to find a sponsor, and how to be a sponsor. The article is composed this from the perspective of a male because, as he quips, im old. For anyone new to recovery and the program of alcoholics anonymous, it is an incredible resource when looking for a quality sponsor. Alcoholics anonymous learn about the 12 steps of aa. I continue to be extremely grateful for the sponsors who have been or maintain an active role in my recovering addicts life.
Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. Thats why when it comes to choosing your aa sponsor, you dont just pick the first person you come across. Sponsorship, revised this is na fellowshipapproved literature. I am curious if you had to have been an alcoholic to be an alcoholic at one point to become an alcoholics anonymous sponsor. Alcoholics anonymous how to be an effective sponsor in.
Jan 11, 2020 jason wahler is a reality tv star in recovery and undoing the stigma around addiction. One word youll frequently hear at meetings is sponsor. Communication and social support in alcoholics anonymous sponsorships. Sponsorship wasnt associated with alcoholics anonymous in the beginning. The role of sponsorship in alcoholics anonymous does not replace the roles of friends or family. Overall, shgs are a significant contributor to sud treatment on both a standalone and affiliated basis. Pdf version one this is a basic version of the text of alcoholics anonymous. Eventually, the service sponsor encourages the individual member interested in this form of service to attend district meetings and to read about the history and structure of alcoholics anonymous. Its only membership requirement is a desire to stop drinking. When you first get sober, it can feel like every decision you make impacts your recovery.
The sponsor will guide the sponsee through applying the 12 steps to their life. The big book alcoholics anonymous the big book of alcoholics anonymous. This sober oldtimer composed this with the help of a sponsee. Please check email address is accurately typed, and can receive email from anyone.
Sponsors are not accountable in alcoholics anonymous. It seems to be a very rewarding job to become a sponsor and help someone through the infamous alcoholics anonymous 12 steps and 12 traditions. This site is not endorsed by alcoholics anonymous world services, nor does it represent alcoholics anonymous as a whole. Your first alcoholics anonymous meeting going to your first alcoholics anonymous aa meeting can be challenging. There are many types of meetings, including those specifically geared toward beginners and speaker meetings, where one sober member shares his or her experience, strength and hope. Over the years sponsorship has evolved into an important part of alcoholics anonymous. It is all about social responsibilities, living up to them and doing ones duty to help each other.
Sponsorship in aa 6 characteristics of a good sponsor. An aa sponsor is a person who has been abstinent for a long period and who is prepared to support a newly abstinent member. I love all of the 12 steps of aa, but step two is the one that gives us hope. Studies have shown that being a sponsor benefits both the sponsor and the individual that you support by reducing rates of relapse for both parties. In alcoholics anonymous it has come to refer to a situation where one person takes on some responsibility for taking care of another individual. For the purposes of this pamphlet, an na sponsor is a member of narcotics anonymous, living our program of recovery, who is willing to build a special, supportive, oneonone relationship with us. Why is it important to have a sponsor in the alcoholics. In their latest look at longresolved comic book plots, csbg reveals who tony starks sponsor in alcoholics anonymous was. Alcoholics anonymous has been continuously present in uk prisons for more than 50 years and many people, both within the walls and on the outside, have found that aa has made a difference to their lives. Service sponsor alcoholics anonymous of rockland county.
Click here to find out more about the full version for. How to find the right aa sponsor for achieving sobriety. Alcoholics anonymous, narcotics anonymous, and other 12step programs are based heavily on tradition, because those traditions work. Would you like to help support a prisoner, but havent the time for prison visits.
Most members think of a sponsor, first and foremost, as someone who. The twelve step program big book guide big book sponsorship. Each member of alcoholics anonymous is a potential sponsor of a new member and should. As stated in the alcoholics anonymous sponsorship guide, by helping others, alcoholics can find that they help themselves. The sponsor provides a number of functions to a sponsee including. Aa speakers amazing big book step study part 3 of 5 duration. A twelvestep program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems. This manual was developed with funding from the national institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism, grant p50 aa0559521 to the alcohol research group.
Experience, availability and trustworthiness are among the traits to consider when choosing a sponsor. Alcoholics anonymous districts 70 and 80 maintain updated meeting lists on their respective websites. Abolish sponsorship from alcoholics anonymous gopetition. May 08, 2008 sponsors are not accountable in alcoholics anonymous. Sexaholics anonymous is based on the principles of alcoholics anonymous. In this book we describe how these principles are working for us. When based on a foundation of sexual sobriety and put into personal action, the twelve steps. Alcoholics anonymous coercion in therapy at samaritan counseling center of the capital region duration. These are just a few simple benefits and services the newcomer obtains from a sponsor in aa. In order to maintain sobriety, many recovering alcoholics will turn to 12step programs, such as alcoholics anonymous aa.
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