Recovering from addiction is a long and challenging journey. Having ongoing support and someone to hold you accountable during your recovery can be very helpful. Taking advantage of sponsorship in recovery programs can fill that role. A sponsor is someone you can ask questions, talk to and turn to in times of need.
What Are Sponsorship in Recovery Programs?
Sponsors are individuals who’ve completed the recovery process. They’re most common in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous programs, but they exist in other recovery programs as well.
A sponsor is usually someone who’s been in recovery for at least a year. They’ve faced challenges similar to those participants have experienced and know the program well, so they can guide others as they navigate recovery.
Sponsorship in AA/NA: Tradition and Structure
In the AA/NA model, sponsors play a vital role in helping their sponsees get started with the program. Many individuals enter AA/NA after working with a rehab program such as Sunlight Recovery. Sponsors help sponsees become active and helpful members of the organization. AA uses the term “sponsorship into service” to describe this.
Service is seen in AA as an important part of sobriety. Newcomers may start with small tasks, such as welcoming first-timers or even making tea and coffee at a meeting. As they become more experienced, they take on other roles.
AA believes three legacies are required for lasting sobriety:
- Recovery
- Unity
- Service
A sponsor’s role is to explain these legacies and how they fit into AA/NA’s tradition and concepts. AA’s Big Book informs members: “Helping others is the foundation stone of your recovery. A kindly act once in a while isn’t enough. You have to act the Good Samaritan every day if need be.”
How Sponsorship Differs in SMART, Celebrate Recovery and Others
You’ll find sponsorship in recovery programs outside of AA and NA. The difference between 12-step vs. non-12-step sponsorship is subtle but can be significant to those who don’t feel comfortable with AA’s spiritual approach.
Celebrate Recovery is an organization similar to AA that offers recovery support grounded in Christian principles. Like AA, it uses sponsors. These individuals have completed the program and act as guides and mentors.
A major difference between AA/NA and Celebrate Recovery is that while AA and NA programs talk about a higher power, they aren’t referencing a specific religion. Celebrate Recovery takes a biblical perspective on recovery, and the mentor/mentee relationship reflects this.
Many of the people we work with at Sunlight Recovery express a desire for recovery programs with a less spiritual focus. Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery is a popular choice among such individuals. Like AA, it preaches complete abstinence rather than harm reduction. It focuses on four key recovery goals:
- Build and maintain motivation
- Cope with cravings
- Manage thoughts, feelings and behaviors
- Lead a balanced life
SMART Recovery teaches individuals to be self-reliant and doesn’t use individual sponsors. It also avoids the use of language such as “alcoholic” or “addict.” When someone in recovery attends a SMART Recovery meeting, they talk with their peers rather than being mentored by a more experienced individual.
Benefits of Sponsorship Across Recovery Models
Sponsorship is beneficial for both the sponsor and the sponsee. Having someone guide a sponsee as they begin a program helps the newcomer integrate into the group. Joining any new group can be intimidating, so having someone take the time to answer questions and provide support is beneficial.
In the longer term, sponsors provide accountability and support. According to a study conducted in the UK, the use of “assisted pathways” for recovery greatly increases the likelihood of people recovering from drug addiction for the long term. In fact, out of the individuals who reported lifelong problem resolution, 49.9% used some form of mutual help or recovery support service, while 35% used formal addiction treatment.
Sponsors report several benefits:
- Increased self-awareness
- Improved social skills and social competence
- Increased sense of psychological well-being
- A sense of social approval
- A chance to make and maintain an identity that’s free from drugs or alcohol
Finding the Right Sponsor or Mentor for You
If you’re joining an addiction recovery program and looking to work with a sponsor or mentor, it’s important to find one you feel comfortable with and who’s well-respected within their group. AA and NA groups require sponsors to have been involved in the program for a year. Other groups typically expect their sponsors or mentors to have completed any structured part of the program.
This experience is important because it shows the sponsor is committed to the program and likely to understand what you’re going through.
When to Reevaluate a Sponsor Relationship
At Sunlight Recovery, we can assist with the initial withdrawal and provide tools to support long-term recovery. However, for long-term sobriety, recovery programs and a good sponsor/sponsee relationship are essential. Keep in mind that the relationship with your sponsor is temporary, and you or they can break it for any reason.
The relationship might be worth reconsidering if:
- You and your sponsor find it difficult to arrange time to talk
- Your sponsor is dismissive when you ask for help
- Your sponsor is unwilling to keep the focus on your recovery
- You or your sponsor develops feelings for the other person
- Your sponsor is pushing you to do things you don’t feel comfortable with
- You don’t feel listened to or understood
Working with a sponsor is meant to be beneficial for both parties. If you don’t feel this is the case, speak up early. Be polite but firm, and ask to try working with someone else. Try to end the sponsorship on a positive note so you can remain friendly in group meetings. Although that sponsor wasn’t right for you, their way of supporting people may be ideal for someone else.
Finding Support During Recovery
Beating drug or alcohol addiction isn’t easy. Participating in sponsorship in recovery programs is important, but many individuals need some early-stage support before going to AA or similar meetings.
At Sunlight Recovery, we provide several inpatient and outpatient recovery programs for people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Contact us now to learn more about these programs and how we can help you on the path to sobriety.
