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A sponsor is neither a parent, a therapist, nor a confessor. Accordingly, a sponsor is a person with whom we have no ulterior motive, whom we do not pay, and from whom we seek neither absolution nor judgment. Our sponsor is, in fact, a fellow addict.
Sponsors are not "perfect" people working "perfect" programs. Sponsors are human, too, with struggles and confusion, just as anyone else in the Fellowship. Indeed, seeing the imperfections in our sponsors helps relieve us of our own compulsion to be perfect.
A Sponsor is an established member in 12 steps program with some time in the program and, most importantly, some time in continuous sobriety from their inner circle boundaries.
A Sponsor is someone who comes alongside us in recovery to guide, sometimes teach, sometimes advise, other times to help us, but always to encourage us - to grow. They must also constantly challenge us to keep pressing on, and pressing in! They must keep us accountable to the truth, while giving us room to expand. They must sometimes intervene when we do stupid things, while letting us learn from our mistakes. In reality, the job description of a Sponsor/mentor in recovery is virtually limitless. The length and depth of the job can vary, according to the need and growth of the person being Sponsored. But one thing’s for sure- we all need one at some point in our recovery process. We may use different names for this person ( Sponsor-mentor-prayer partner, etc.) but what they do,( or don’t do) and our relationship with them, seems to be the most important to us-and our recovery.
A Sponsors primary responsibility is to help a Sponsee work the Twelve Steps.
Sponsorship is a basic part of belonging to a Twelve Steps Fellowship. Acting as a Sponsor is a part of 12 Step recovery.
Sponsorship can be, like friendship - a very rich experience, great blessing.
When joining the 12 steps groups - select a temporary sponsor. Typically this can be one of the persons that participated in the newcomer meeting.
Work with your temporary sponsor until you find you regular sponsor.
Some groups suffer from not having enough sponsors. In this case - you try to work with another sex addict who is working the same steps in "a blind leading the blind" arrangement.
Another solution for groups not having enough sponsors. You may find a sponsor in other city.
How to find a Long-distance Sponsor? Call someone on the inter-group website or send an email.
List of http://www.sexaa.org/linklist.htm
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