Fellow AAs, need advice. Sponsorship-necessary? I’m coming from a place of fear of using a human as a crutch, instead of total reliance on my HP. And, I had a sponsor that worked the steps with me, I needed her to guide me through them. Just feeling it’s not needed now and adds extra pressure on me to “check in” with her often. Thoughts? Any old timers out there with wisdom?
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Thank you!
That is the type of talk that keeps you sober... thank you for bringing this up this is a huge issue and we all deal with it differently but it needs to be discussed and to discuss it is where it's at
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I have a sponcor that I don’t call as often as I did In early recovery but I have a very trusted recovery brother that I check in with daily and I share absolutely everything with, it’s just where I am in my sobriety. I do believe that one should have a close relationship with at least someone who will be honest with you if they notice relapse symptoms or something else. Just my opinion. I’d add the first couple years I’d definitely recommend you have a sponcor.
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Total reliance on a "higher power" has a low chance of keeping people sober. Please do not go this route. 1000's of people do nothing but rely on "god" or whatever and it doesn't end well. If you're diagnosed with cancer, would you only pray for that to go away or would you do what doctors tell you to do?
Be reasonable, be healthy and happy by being sober. Seek the help of a professional. If god cared, you wouldn't be an alcoholic in the first place.
In my experience……I sobered up early in life and worked diligently as an active member of AA and my community. Got my undergraduate and graduate degree, an amazing Job………….I knew a NEW Freedom and a NEW happiness THEN decided I didn’t really need all those things that helped me get there and I drank again after 14 years and stayed out for another 14 yrs “controlling” it before I spiraled out of control and almost lost everything……came seriously close tho. What I have learned is that I will always need someone I have to b accountable to. I will always need to hear other people’s stories. My arrogance tells me I don’t need it anymore. FOR ME……..that is beginning of a journey down a very dangerous path.
That’s just my experience. Hope it helps. I KNOW today I need my tribe and needing them does not make me less than or weak
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Oh yeah AND I will have to continuously work the steps. I don’t get to 12 and get a diploma in recovery……..I have to work at it everyday. It’s just that eventually it’s not work. It’s just how I live.
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Very eloquently put! Really good advice.
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I’m only 6 days in I don’t have a sponsor yet. With those words. I’ll find mine, as well as who I am.
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Did you get a sponsor yet? I think getting a sponsor is more about willingness and humility. It almost killed me to ask someone. I only did it because I was so broken, and scared not to follow the suggestions…again
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Having a Sponsor is important because it reminds me that I don’t have all the answers. I also realize that I’m helping them as well, so I’m being of service. It’s not just about me. Then I also have them as a guide for those I sponsor. We have to give it away to keep it. Finally accountability is important. I was accountable to no one when I got to the rooms.
Hope that helps.
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Thanks for sharing, my story is similar.
I simply forgot that I am powerless over alcohol.