12-Step recovery focuses on helping others as a way to maintain sobriety. The Twelfth Step states: “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.” Sponsorship is a concept that arises from the need to carry the message of recovery to those who still suffer. Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, realized that the best way to maintain his own sobriety was by working one-on-one with others attempting to recover from alcoholism. In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, Wilson writes: “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail. This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when other fail.” Those who have worked the twelve steps are in a unique position of understanding the diseases of alcoholism and addiction, and can use their own experience, strength, and hope to help others overcome the affliction. Sponsorship is the best way to help a newcomer get involved in the Twelve Step program of recovery. Alcoholics Anonymous, in Questions & Answers on Sponsorship, explains, “It assures the newcomer that there is at least one person who understands the situation fully and cares — one person to turn to without embarrassment when doubts, questions or problems linked to alcoholism arise. Sponsorship gives the newcomer an understanding, sympathetic friend when one is needed most. Sponsorship also provides the bridge enabling the new person to meet other alcoholics — in a home group and in other groups visited.” Sponsors are those who have gone through the work of the Twelve Steps, and are applying the principles of recovery to their own lives. Newcomers wishing to find a sponsor should look for those individuals who have been through the steps and are living in accordance with spiritual principles. Newcomers should as themselves, “Does he or she have the happiness, joyousness, and freedom in sobriety that I want?” If so, they will most likely be more than happy to take the newcomer through the steps one-on-one in the same manner that they experience the program of recovery.
Your life can become one of happiness, joyousness, and freedom in sobriety. You can make the decision to seek help now and embark upon the rewarding journey of recovery. Oceanfront Recovery, located in beautiful Laguna Beach, is staffed with caring and compassionate professionals dedicated to providing clients with all the tools needed to achieve and maintain lasting sobriety. For information about individualized treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
