Blogs
May 17, 2025
What is a sponsor and how to pick one?
By Greg F.
When new in recovery, you won’t know the 12th step: “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts/alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
Number 12 is the last step, as in, the one that you finally get to after going through all the previous steps. And part of it suggests “carrying the message,” which many group members translate into sponsorship.
Don’t think of sponsorship as charity work. It is rather a vital part of working the program in order to remain sober. In fact, when the first two AA’s, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, discussed their reasoning for wanting to help the third member, Bill D., they first had to convince him that they were doing this to keep themselves sober. He wouldn’t listen to them before he heard that.
Basically, sponsors are people who will guide you through the 12 steps of your recovery program. They have no business judging you because they understand your struggles with addiction. They were once in your shoes. They are men and women who have experienced a spiritual awakening and will show you how to get free of your disease.
Unfortunately, 12-step meetings will only take an addict or alcoholic so far when it comes to finding relief from their disease. Certain steps require work that occurs outside of the meetings. A sponsor will show you how that work should be done.
All you have to be is honest and willing to take suggestions. Nothing to it.
How do I pick one?
Here are five things to consider when choosing a sponsor:
The three principles of 12-step group membership are “Recovery,” “Unity,” and “Service.” Sponsorship is one of the best ways a group member who has been through the steps can be of service to others.
Each time a sponsor takes a sponsee through the steps, they strengthen their own recovery by deepening their understanding of the program.
About the author:
Greg F. recently celebrated eight years free from drugs and alcohol. He has contributed to The Grove social media accounts in the past and served as a writing intern for The Grove in the fall of 2024, working toward a master’s degree in English from Southeastern Louisiana University. He is the author of two self-published books and a big fan of Gretsch Guitars.