Finding a sponsor for alcoholism recovery can be a really helpful tool for getting sober. A sponsor can be there for you when you need a little extra push. They can also give you real-world advice and cheer you on when you reach goals. If you’re looking for somebody to sponsor you, a great place to start is a recovery group meeting like Alcoholics Anonymous. However, it’s important to pick somebody experienced. It’s also important to know what to avoid when looking for a sponsor. Hopefully, you’ll find somebody that is a great fit for you that will help you with your road to recovery.

Finding a Sponsor for Alcoholism Recovery: Where to Start

Why it Can be Helpful

Finding a sponsor for alcoholism recovery might be just the thing you need to really push through a difficult time in your recovery. A sponsor is somebody that you can go to anytime you need for a little extra encouragement. They’ll support you on your journey and cheer you on when you reach milestones. They will also be a wealth of knowledge because they probably have been sober longer than you. They are somebody you can lean on when you are feeling tempted to drink.

Where to Look for a Sponsor

A great place to start when finding a sponsor for alcoholism recovery is a group meeting. There are several types of group meetings, both in-person and online. The most famous is Alcoholics Anonymous. If you are looking for a sponsor, be upfront about that at your meetings. Don’t necessarily take the first offer that comes along, but instead, make sure you and the person really work well together.

What to Look for in a Sponsor

The most important qualification when finding a sponsor for alcoholism recovery is finding somebody experienced. They should be clean for at least a year before they offer to sponsor you. However, it’s really ideal to have somebody with many years of sober living under their belt. They will be the most helpful to you because they are secure and confident in their sobriety. You want to make sure that it’s somebody you feel comfortable sharing hard truths with.

What to Avoid in a Sponsor

Finding a sponsor for alcoholism recovery shouldn’t be too hard, but you might need to weed through some options. Don’t just agree to be sponsored by somebody to avoid hurting feelings. You really need to click with them to be successful. However, the main thing to avoid is having a sponsor to who you have any romantic attraction. Or vice versa. Romantic feelings can make things very complicated very quickly and end up harming your sobriety journey. You’ll also want to make sure that whomever you decide to work with has some availability in their schedule that matches yours. If you work day shifts, you wouldn’t want your sponsor to always be working a night shift when you need support.

Finding a sponsor for alcoholism recovery is an important piece of the process for many people. It can be really helpful to have somebody in your corner supporting you through the hard times. If you are attending group meetings, make it known that you are looking for a sponsor. Make sure that whomever you decide to work with has plenty of experience. Preferably they’ll have at least a year or more sober. In addition, make sure that you trust them and feel comfortable with them. Never work with a sponsor when there are romantic feelings involved as it can complicate things and harm your recovery. Hopefully, you’ll be able to find somebody to sponsor you who you feel comfortable with and who can be a huge asset to your recovery.