What is an AA Sponsor & What Do They Do?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an organization that is dedicated to helping people with alcohol abuse problems get sober and keeping people in recovery from alcoholism sober. Anyone who has a desire to quit drinking can join Alcoholics Anonymous. The group originated in Akron, Ohio and has since expanded to include meetings throughout the United States and other countries around the world. Along with being famous for the 12 Steps, AA is also known for having sponsors.

What is a Sponsor in AA?

Sponsorship in AA is described by the organization as “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 AA.”¹ Essentially, a sponsor in AA is someone who is further along in their recovery who can help someone newly sober out of alcohol addiction treatment with the trials and tribulations of early recovery.

What Does an AA Sponsor Do?

The primary role of a sponsor in AA is to look after another member who is earlier on in the recovery journey. There is no specific outline of an AA sponsor’s duties, but this type of mentorship can take many forms.

Instead of waiting until the AA group meets, an AA sponsor can provide support outside of these meetings. This constant available support is important for people in early recovery who are just starting to learn how to live life in sobriety and struggling with alcohol triggers frequently.

An AA sponsor can also hold their mentee accountable during their recovery journey. It is not uncommon for people who recently completed residential addiction treatment to get complacent after leaving rehab with more freedom and less structure in their lives. Having someone who is watching over their progress and checking in can help the person in early recovery stay on track.

Another benefit of having an AA sponsor is that the sponsor has a good understanding of what the person in early recovery is going through. They have not only been there themselves but have also made it through to the other side. An AA sponsor can use their personal experience to answer questions as well as be a source of hope for their mentee who may struggle at times to believe that they can get to this point themselves.

Recovery is a lifelong journey, but at our drug and alcohol rehab center in PA, we help people with substance abuse problems find lasting sobriety. This includes preparing them for life outside of treatment and connecting them with various forms of support.

To learn more about what we have to offer at Clearbrook Treatment Centers, call us today at 570-536-9621.

Sources:

1. AA- Questions & Answers on Sponsorship