Where sponsorship began
Bill W. & Dr. Bob
Alcoholics Anonymous began with sponsorship. When Bill W., only a few months sober, was stricken with a powerful urge to drink, this thought came to him: “You need another alcoholic to talk to. You need another alcoholic just as much as he needs you!” He found Dr. Bob, who had been trying desperately and unsuccessfully to stop drinking, and out of their common need A.A. was born. The word “sponsor” was not used then; the Twelve Steps had not been written; but Bill carried the message to Dr. Bob, who in turn safeguarded his own sobriety by sponsoring countless other alcoholics. Through sharing, both of our co-founders discovered, their own sober lives could be enriched beyond measure.
f.a.q.'s on sponsorship
What is a Sponsor?
In A.A., sponsor and sponsored meet as equals, just as Bill and Dr. Bob did. Essentially, the process of sponsorship is this: An alcoholic who has made some progress in the recovery program shares that experience on a continuous, individual basis with another alcoholic who is attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through A.A.
How Do You Get a Sponsor?
There are a few ways to get a sponsor:
- Listen in meetings for someone who shares and "has what you want" then ask them if they are taking sponsees.
- Stay after a meeting and let members know you are looking for a sponsor.
- Select an A.A. member with whom you can feel comfortable, someone with whom we can talk freely and confidentially, and ask that person to be your sponsor.
