What exactly is a sponsor? What role does a sponsor play? Is there a special qualification or credential, that a sponsor is required to have? Is there an annual training program for sponsors? I believe AA is the only alcoholic addiction that has sponsorships.
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A sponsor is someone who walks you through the steps. They are someone you can confide in. They say in AA you have to give it away to keep it, so talking to a sponsor helps both of you stay sober. It sounded dumb to me at first but if you have a good sponsor it makes getting/staying sober alot easier.
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Yeah what he said, met mine at a meeting…super cool we talk about life and go out to eat too
Majority of 12 step programs have sponsorship, sponsors are for taking you through the 12 step work in most cases.. it's suggested that you find a sponsor who has what you want...not material things, but living a life you'd like, spiritually fit, etc. If you're new, get phone numbers and talk to people, once they get to know you better a sponsor may find you. God will help you
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My question is still: what kind of credentials does a sponsor have. Sounds like anyone could be a sponsor. There is no formal training. Seems like it could potentially be shady. Like, hey, I could be your sponsor, come with me to eat and BOOM some shenanigans may happen.
Does the sponsor lead or chair meeting meetings?
I know that in smartrecovery,  a meeting facilitator has to be trained.
No there is no formal training this is a program of recovery. Done by choice anyone can be a sponsor
It sounds like to me that you summon a stranger and ask him to explain steps to you and walk you through them. How do you know that you could confide in this stranger 
Have you ever looked at SMART Recovery? smart recovery is based on science and cognitive behavioral therapy.
As a sponsor in NA and having a sponsor in NA, a sponsor is someone that has experience, strength and hope which I have observed in action. Someone who can teach me the way they remain clean and share with me the principles and steps of the program they utilize in daily life to handle the challenges of life on life's terms to stay clean.
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Sponsors have sponsors and so forth on?
I’m curious because otherwise without training and credentials, one may not me properly qualified.
I guess it is the veteran in me.
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They are qualified because they've completed the 12 steps & are living a spiritually fit life. The sponsors job is to take a person through the 12 steps. That's just my humble opinion. And thank you for your service.
Thank you. It was my pleasure.
So, how do you graduate from step 1 to 2 so forth and so on? I see the twelve step program like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Another curiosity I have is why do they separate AA, NA, and other  anonymous groups.
I participate in smartrecovery, because it addresses all substances use disorders to include gambling, food, sęx, any other disorders.
Thank you Yary. Interesting read.
Yes sponsors have sponsors and so on. The program of Narcotics Anonymous is based on "the therapeutic value of one addict helping another.."
Someone that is working a good program. If you see the people enough around the halls you will see who is full of sh!t.
It’s important to know what a sponsor isn’t. They aren’t a trained therapist, doctor, or psychiatrist. There definitely are issues which are reserved for trained professionals.
Even when I did my 5th step, my sponsor told me he isn’t “a trauma therapist.” However, a sponsor is someone who has gone through the 12 Steps, and offers guidance on how to do them. It also serves as a great way to check your thinking, which our addiction significantly skews.
They offer support and help one develop a spiritual way of life.
I personally see an array of medical professionals in addition to talking to my sponsor.
Choose someone who has a sobriety you admire!
So, who checks the boxes to ensure they are qualified to to make it to the next step?
It’s up to the sponsors discretion. They typically show you the way that they were shown. However, the process is described in the Big Book and expanded upon in the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions.