How often have we heard alcoholics and addicts share at meetings:
- “My Sponsor told me to call him everyday for a year!”
- My Sponsor told me to, “stay out of relationships for the first year!”
- “I don’t make any decisions in my life until I talk with my Sponsor. In fact, my Sponsor said, “Don’t make any major decisions for the first year.”
Where do these instructions come from? Are these absurd attempts at qualifying “willingness” in our prospects? Nowhere in the Big Book does it say you cannot have relationships or that you shouldn’t work and earn money. Where does it say in the Big Book that we have to call our Sponsor everyday or before making any important decisions. Is it any wonder why there are so many co-dependent and dsyfunctional relationships in our fellowship today.
On page 18 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous there are clear instructions, based on the experiences of the original 100 recovered alcoholics, describing HOW TO WORK with other alcoholics or addicts:
But the ex-problem drinker who has found this solution, who is properly armed with facts (12 steps) about himself, can generally win the entire confidence of another alcoholic in a few hours. Until such an understanding is reached, little or nothing can be accomplished.
That the man who is making the approach (that means, we as recovered addicts make the approach to the newcomer, not the other way around) has had the same difficulty (war story), that he obviously knows what he is talking about (means he is a ‘real’ alcoholic), that his whole deportment shouts (recovered) at the new prospect that he is a man with a real answer (our common solution), that he has no attitude of Holier Than Thou (we’re not saints), nothing whatever except the sincere desire to be helpful (no crusades or missions); that there are no fees to pay (we give freely that which was given to us freely), no axes to grind, (no windy arguments or frothy debates), no people to please (no ass kissing), no lectures to be endured (we’re not here to run your life) these are the conditions we have found most effective. After such an approach many take up their beds and walk again.
Furthermore on Page 17 of the Big Book it states:
“The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution (the first 103 pages of the Big Book). We have a way out on which we can absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism (addiction).”
Nowhere in the book does it say to get a Sponsor! It does however say in Chapter 7 of the Big Book, “Working with Others:
“Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail.”
Moreover, on page 45 of the Big Book it says specifically what our job is:
“Well, that’s exactly what this book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem”.
So doesn’t it stand to reason that our job as Sponsors is to help the newcomer find a power greater than themselves to restore them to sanity? And, we do that by showing them how to work the 12 steps, our vehicle to a Higher Power.
Tell us about your experiences. How did your Sponsor work with you? How do you work with others?
He’ll again,
One solution to the problem of bad sponsoring is to have anyone wanting to be a sponsor go through training in how to be a sponsor. Get the rules from someone who knows what healthy sponsoring would look like. There is a lot that goes on that is NOT psychologically nor spiritually healthy.
Hello fellow AAs! I’m glad you are being honest about your experiences. I’ve had quite a few sponsor. I’ve worked the steps four or five times. I am willing to see the truth about myself. Ive uncovered many of my liabilities. At this point I feel free. I can see that my part in my trouble with sponsors was not looking at their whole life, their whole outlook, the way they spend their spare time and their spiritual outlook. It’s true that some people get an ego boost from sponsoring. Some people say all the right things. Their words are right but their life is still unmanageable. If a persons life is not balanced there is a good chance they are still troubled in their psyche. You cant divide the two. They immediately set themselves up as superior to the sponsee. You have to want to be like the person doing the sponsoring. If you don’t they are not the right sponsor. It becomes a game of one being the dominant and the other being the submissive. It is not an equal relationship. It is unhealthy psychologically and it is ,indeed, co-dependent. If I’m going to have a sponsor they are going to have to be able to teach me something. If they are on the same level as me why call them sponsor? Why should they be the dominant ones if the are no more in God’s will than I am? It would seem that they want to be God in a persons life. Sponsoring is for people new to AA. Sponsoring is for people to learn the Big Book and learn how to work the steps. We really do need to learn to rely on God. He is the constant. He knows best. He wants our highest good. Sponsors have egos that get in the way sometimes. We need to learn to know God’s leading in our heart and spirit. We need to learn how to obey the voice of God( our ultimate sponsor). Some AAs put everyone that asked them to sponsor in the same box( as knowing nothing). This is unwise. Some people think that if a person drinks again they have lost all of the knowledge about recovery that they have already learned. It’s not true. I don’t think sponsor should be forced on people. Most people have a fair amount of intelligence. God will do the rest if they are willing. We are trying to increase our conscious contact with God. That is the end-game.
Yes, I am glad to find this. I feel the same way about sponsorship – it doesn’t help that the founders gave us very little direction about that, but obviously it didn’t play a big role in the beginning. I will have 34 years in a week (If I am willing – my Higher Power is always willing) Don’t have a “specific” sponsor but there are lots of sober alcoholics with time I am very honest with (or my “current” version of honesty – my experience is that keeps growing.) My issue with “specific” sponsors is that they typically become “life skills coaches” (not a common profession among alcoholics, I will add! ) They also may have very specific ideas about what sounds like “sober” behavior to them. That doesn’t occur anywhere in the steps, for good reason. I often avoid the topic of sponsorship in sharing, unless I specifically get called on and that’s the topic. I try to sponsor using the steps, but with little success. Most sponsees I have had were looking to be rescued, want specific advice, or want to be “absolved” so they don’t have to do amends. Unconditional love. A mother. A sister. Someone to go to lunch with. Won’t do steps and I am not likely to beg them. It’s their choice. Last person who asked me to sponsor her, I asked her why she wanted a sponsor, since they often don’t know aside from they’re supposed to get one. She said she was having a hard time deciding whether to re-do her roof because of money….(!) I suggested she try elsewhere. She won’t have a hard time finding somebody to take that on. I feel a bit like a medical person would feel, I think, when the patient doesn’t like the treatment for the disease they have to offer. The medical person doesn’t say, “That’s fine. Call me and we’ll talk about your mother.” Boundaries – we understand boundaries with doctors. Not so with sponsors. Also notice that in 34 years, have never heard anyone but me say I wasn’t a good sponsor with certain people, particularly early in my sobriety. Everyone seems to think they’re great at it – that concerns me, because it’s not true. Very difficult topic. Will point out that the steps are virtually self-explanatory….it’s a matter of willingness and I can’t offer them that. I can enable the hell out of them, which I won’t do.
Give them the love. It’s all we need for a while. Then we can fly by our own. Let your humanity lead. Get out of that crazy book.
Thank you for such great words of wisdom! Bamadan in Jax fl Jaba club
By the Grace of God and AA I have been sober for 42 years. I cringe when I hear at meetings about the demands of so called sponsors/dictators. I watch, as eyes roll, when I state that a sponsor is simply a guide to the 12 steps. I was very fortunate to have a sponsor who did just that. When he met me he introduced the Big Book and told me that all the answers are in this book and if there not in it then they are not important. He also told me that when I went through the steps thoroughly and with rigorous honesty that I would lose the desire to drink. He was right. He never promised me a trouble free life but I had the tools now to deal with anything that came my way.
I learned 12 step sponsorship from Ed W… He had 35 years of recovery at the time… He learned sponsorship from Clarence Snyder and the Cleveland AA group. Clarence learned AA from Bob Smith…. Ed took the 12 steps with Clarence in a day… yes I said one day…. That is how the Cleveland group did the steps… Trust God, Clean House, and help others… and they did it in lightning speed… I took the 12 steps and at the end of the process my human sponsor Mr. Ed told me that now “God is your sponsor” and from then on I was to ask Ed or anyone in the program who I thought had a good program to help me… Sometimes it was one conversation sometimes I actually had to talk with them on several occasions. I did a 10-11-12 daily and I have been sober for 30 years… God keeps me sober and I am responsible for bringing what I was taught to the next suffering Alcoholic who comes my way… In actuality, I find people have difficulty with the simplicity of the Cleveland Way today… They want more from sponsors than was ever intended… God alone brings the power to live one day at a time.
This is sad–this bashing of sponsorship–which has been such an important tool in my 37 years of sobriety. At first, I didn’t know which way was up and needed clearer directions on how to conduct myself. Then, when I am in doubt, disturbed, threatened, I use the 10th Step immediately, asking God to removed them as they crop up, if not enough I immediately contact my sponsor to take my own inventory. I can still justify, rationalize and blame others for my feelings or disappointment. I have several sponsees, enough to have formed a Sisterhood and we meet once per week to study the Steps, Traditions, and Concepts. The Dalai Lama has advisers, the Pope consults others. What not use such a tremendous tool to help me see where I am wrong, and help in deciding how to make my amends. I recently changed sponsor (I’ve had several) and she is highly spiritual, very, very close to God. I’m learning so much. When I sponsee calls me with a disturbance, I take them throught the Steps over the phone, we look at the principle that apply (Traditions, Concepts, etc) then they do a Hour-Power of the 6th-7th Steps to ask God to remove them and give them His vision of a solution. Then, they contact me and we discuss their amends. It works! It really works — for some of us!
Yes! I’ve found that most times when I’m complaining about something in recovery “I don’t like”, it is the resonance of my ego. Having a human guide to help translate spiritual concepts into actions in the beginning is absolutely necessary. Having a person to maintain spiritual discipline and action with is still helpful after a few decades in the program. I doubt I’ll ever be so connected to my higher power that I won’t need one of his kids to help translate – maybe only after I’m dead.
It would be arrogant to believe that your experience should translate to everyone else.
For some of us it doesn’t work, as we have a deeper addiction than that of alcohol or something similar. That deeper addiction is codependency. For us working the steps without an authority figure can be extremely beneficial.
I was told recently at one of my regular big book meetings that I am very controversial and dont consider peoples feelings and yet all my stuff is right out of our basic tex /big book.I have been labelled arrogant, with not love and tolerance. All I pass on from my Sponsor is the exact 12 step solution from 1939, but it seems many dont like the degree of honesty I share with. I continue to pass on a truthful message and iam willing to take the flack that comes from people who attended and seek an easier softer way or middle of the road solutions. All men of faith have courage and I don’t apologize for having God in my life and a god given program to recovery. Amen
I am so tired of the program placing dependance on a sponsor ahead of dependance on God. Even Bill W. emphasized that we are to place our recovery in the hands of God, not people. Another sober person can share their experience, strength, and hope. They can share what worked for them. They can provide illumination on the steps. They aren’t God. They aren’t a therapist. They aren’t your dictator or personal sounding board. I drew some boundaries with my sponsee and she fired me. She wanted someone she could wail and moan to and I wasn’t willing to participate. That’s not my role. Stop glorifying dependance on people!
Wow, the program outlined in the first 164 pages of the Big Book has been perverted beyond recognition. The term Sponsor has replaced friend, and has develo p ed into a codependent nightmare.
I have heard endless stories about sponsors that require so much writing it takes two years to complete the 12 steps. Sponsirs for the most part have no training or expertise in; counseling, relationships, finances or medical care. Requiring daily phone calls, getting their advise on matters other than the 12 steps is simply unwise.
Find a friend in the program with strong sobriety, ask them to walk you through the steps as outlined in the big book and then share what you learned with others. When at meetings and you hear terms like grandsponsor or sistersponsor steer clear that is simply codependent BS and not the way the program was written.
May you find sobriety not just abstinence.
Oh wow. This really resonates with me (or I really resonate with it, whichever). A codependent nightmare was my experience with my AA sponsor. I am now in a step study in Codependents Anonymous and although my codependency began in childhood, it was most certainly made more deeply entrenched – and darker – through my experience with that sponsor. I am barely beginning to heal from it, years later. Of course I had a part. Of course I don’t regret a thing, either. I am who and where I am because of it all. But hell on earth it was. It almost took me back out. Thank you for this post, and for all the posts here – for this whole thread. Wow. Thank you so much. Now I feel like I could actually become a sponsor again! (i.e. raise my hand and help other women through the steps!!!!!!!) I might actually come out of this not only alive, but able to support others in a healthy fashion!! Thank HP!!!!
excellent perspective
I had a sponsor and it clearly got to co dependency when I tried to talk to her about this and boundaries she wouldn’t respond. I had a part to play. Yet it was i that notice this and conflict between what all I was told and demanded. I go to workshops that I kept explaining I just started back to work and couldn’t take time to go to out of town ones but I did go to local ones meetings and now work on luncheon board. I thanked her and I have spiritual friend that I have for earthly counsel and support yet we support each other she has more years and experience but I’m not a replace for who she doesn’t have in her life. Not her child it’s mutual respect. Later I was told previous sponsor has enabling issues and the sisters in our little group have (most moved on for various reasons) now I understand. Placing burdens financially telling a person how and where to go is not the way. Had briefly between first and one I have now (lasted two weeks) told me to leave my job go into sells that’s what she did. One I’m a LPN and love it pays well and I contribute to now care of disabled children on vents I had no interest in sells. Her self was tied to her job. Myself worth is knowing who I am with my God if my understanding. I was labeled rebellious by the brief sponsor don’t see her at meetings we use to attend. I go throughbook with sponsee. Although the word isn’t in the book it is the definition of the what we do for others. Go through 12step questions discuss and she calls Daily required by program she’s in yet it’s ok. We will adjust when she’s on her own. Codependency sponsoring is a kept quiet disease that runs within some groups of in the rooms. . I have seen some sponsees get so upset when their sponsors do things outside the rooms like start non profit work/charities or go to church. And they have 20 something years. Wow. That’s just too much. The step work took me from total dependency on man kind who does make mistakes no matter how long in program and still have defects (we all do) yet self righteousness because of time in program should be something all watch for and be self aware. We are to be treated as adults learning a new way of life not another bondage to other people. Always study true intent of founders you’ll see how much man takes over. God is ultimate sponsor for me. And I do encourage those I work with to fulfill their latent dreams you don’t have to be a meeting junky. God brought us back to help mankind inside outside the rooms. Not to be set free from slavery of drinking/drugs to replace with being slaves to people
My first “sponsor” was a fellowshiper and was mostly useless so I got rid of him. My second “sponsor” walked me through the steps and that’s when that God Consciousness happened. It came between steps 7 and 8. The program moved really quickly and I was amazed at how simple it was. That was it. My 2nd “sponsor” took me through the steps and that was it. That’s what I try to do with my sponsees the best I can. Not too many phone calls just work and when finished hopefully they do the same.
Thank you for this. I have recently started attending meetings again and the place I go to now has a militant style of sponsorship.
I tried two different sponsors. They had me call them everyday (which I couldn’t do.. I kept forgetting). They had me go to two very specific meetings way on the other side of town which I hated. One drove me to a meeting with her boyfriend. I sat in the back of the car and they ignored me for the most part. I thought…. "these people are very weird".
I can’t do this. I can’t be a follower like this. So I quit.
I hate it at meetings when people denigrate themselves and say they are incapable of making decisions. Often people speak about how dysfunctional they are.
If we are following this program we learn how to turn to God for answers. Its impossible to be dysfunctional and incompetent if you learn to listen to your higher power.’
Thanks for listening.
This has been my biggest peeve with the fellowship.
the fellowship for the most part believes that it is a replacement for God.
I do not believe in the term sponsor. I find that practicing the A.A. program using a traditional sponsor means that step eleven is eliminated.
We are going to make mistakes, if we don’t learn to trust that inner voice that intuitive thought then we are doomed to travel the road of self-will. Going to a sponsor to get answers to problems is nothing more than self will run riot —
there is no faith in God.
The big book doesn’t even have the word "sponsor" in it. It specifically says to work with others. You have often heard the one titled "Sponsor" tell you that you you the(newcomer) is helping him probably more than he is helping you. Sponsor/Sponsee is an ego based system of doing things. There is but one ultimate authority and it ain’t us.
Its not about me helping you..its about we helping each other. Big fish -little fish is a train wreck waiting to happen. Whats that saying before the Lords Prayer we hear.’ "Lets have a moment of silence for the alcoholic who is still suffering" and if Alcohol is but a symptom I am sure that isn’t just for the one who still cant quit drinking. Suffering is suffering.
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. [Big Book, page 60, line 3]
That message can be carried by a person with 3 days to a person with 35 years.
I model my 12 Step work after 4 classic 12 Steps Calls. Ebby T’s talk with Bill at his kitchen table. Bill’s talk to Bob one evening in front of the fire. Bill & Bob’s talk to the 3rd AA in the Hospital bed. Then all 3 men approached the 4th AA. No books back then. No meetings back then. Just alcoholics helping alcoholics sharing experience, hope, and strength. The program is so simple, we are the complicated ones.
My sponsor (i.e. the man who took me through the steps) didn’t take me to a meeting nor did he require me to call him everyday or give up my job or my relationships. He simply asked me three questions:
1. Do you want to quit forever?
2. Are you beyond human aid?
3. What am I will to do to recover?
I said, "anything". He said, "then you are ready to take the steps". He then took me to a coffee shop, not a meeting, sold me a Big Book at cost, and we started reading it – word for word. He asked me lots of questions such as, "Has that been your experience?" "Does that sound like you?". In addition, he had me circle certain words, high-light important passages and prayers (some call this ‘booking’ or ‘mucking’). It took a few weeks to complete the first 89 pages of the Big Book, but by the end of it I had worked all 12 steps and I knew my Big Book.
Never did he ever give me any lectures, or tell me how to live my life, philosophize or give me his opinions about things – he shared his own experience and stuck to what was in the Big Book. He then cut me loose and said, "Carry this message to another suffering alcoholic or addict". We occasionally get together for fellowship and sometimes we share ‘Step Fives’ with each other but other than that my "Sponsor" lets me grow in my own with God.
To go through the steps with a prospect quickly as outlined in the Big Book is all I need to show someone "how it works". Every other issue, "therapy, sex, marriage, divorce, relationships, legal stuff, where the prospect should eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, how they should dress themselves, who they should date, and what God they need to choose is their (newcomers’) responsibility. It is such a weight-less process, "THE 12 STEPS" if done as the book states… It is a heavy load for me or anyone to try to press my outside issues or "opinions," on anyone…