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Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
Where Does My Call Go?
Updated on February 2, 2023
5 min read

AA Sponsors

What is an AA Sponsor? Why Are They Important?

An Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) sponsor supports an alcoholic attempting to quit drinking or maintain sobriety. These sponsors are senior members of AA who have made progress in the recovery program themselves.10

Your sponsor’s responsibilities will vary depending on your needs. But they’ll generally take on the following responsibilities:11

  • Provide answers to AA-related questions
  • Help you work on the 12 steps of AA
  • Share their experiences and knowledge
  • Offer support on an individual basis
  • Help you get sober and stay sober throughout the program
  • Be a trustworthy, understanding, and reliable friend

You can confide with your sponsor and share anything you might not be comfortable sharing in meetings. You can also talk to them about anything you want to discuss further or unpack outside the meetings.

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Qualifications of an AA Sponsor 

Typically, AA sponsors are people who have completed the AA recovery program. They need to know how the process works and how to help you achieve sobriety.

They should be able to provide relatable knowledge and experience to help guide you through the 12 steps. The relationship between an AA sponsor and a sponsee should be mutually beneficial.

Although your AA sponsor can be a friend, choosing an AA sponsor who isn’t biased is ideal. Fortunately, sponsors are likely to become good friends to you and are less likely to enable your drinking habits unwittingly.

5 Qualities to Look for in an AA Sponsor

A sponsorship relationship could be a huge part of your journey to recovery. That’s why finding a sponsor who can help you is important. 

Here are five qualities to look for in an AA sponsor:

1. You Can Trust Them

A good AA sponsor is someone you trust has your best interest in mind. You have seen their success and are willing to take their word. 

Their experiences should help inspire you to improve over time. Until then, you know you can rely on them for support and guidance.

2. They’ve Been Successful

There are no written rules for sponsorship. But a good sponsor is someone who has not had a drink in the last year or longer and seems to be enjoying their new sober life.7 Their own sobriety serves as motivation for you.

3. They Speak Your Language

People are receptive to support in different ways. You may receive advice better when given to you in a loving, sympathetic way. Or you may be someone who needs firm, tough love. 

A sponsor should understand how you operate to avoid enabling or triggering your drinking habits. Whatever the case, look for someone who can provide you with what you need.

4. They’re Responsive

An ideal AA sponsor is someone you can rely on when you need them. They should be responsive when you reach out and respond within a reasonable timeframe. 

Your sponsor should be able to:

  • Answer any questions and concerns you may have
  • Lift you up when you need some words of inspiration
  • Be a vital part of your recovery journey 

5. They Can Relate to You

You’ll probably want to work with a sponsor whose story resonates with you. You may have an easier time when you can picture yourself in their shoes. 

Not only does relatability help establish rapport, but it also provides encouragement and a light at the end of the tunnel for your recovery. If your sponsor doesn’t fit the descriptions above, it may be time to find a different one to support your recovery.

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What is the Difference Between a Sponsor and an Addiction Counselor?

An AA sponsor is someone who has also suffered from AUD. Therefore, they offer support by continuously sharing their experience with someone else in need.10

An AA sponsor isn’t qualified to diagnose addiction or prescribe treatment. Rather, they’re there to offer their personal views and experiences on sobriety.

On the other hand, an addiction counselor is a credible professional. They’re qualified to assess and evaluate their clients’ mental and physical health and addiction. 

Addiction counselors help develop treatment plans and prescribe medications. They can refer you to other resources if needed. They also provide:

  • Skills and techniques to maintain sobriety
  • Change your behavior to recover from addiction
  • Identify toxic behaviors
  • Support struggling loved ones
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Tips for Finding an AA Sponsor 

If you’re considering AA or are attending AA meetings, finding a sponsor is a great way to advance your progress. As a recovering alcoholic trying to get or stay sober, support from someone who has been in your position can help.

Here are a few quick tips to help you find a good sponsor:

  • Seek a sponsor who you can trust
  • Work with someone you can feel comfortable and vulnerable with
  • Work with someone who has made a successful recovery
  • Find someone you can rely on for support
  • Look for someone with similar experiences (same triggers, gender, challenges, etc.)
  • Avoid choosing a close friend or relative who can enable you
  • Work with someone who isn’t biased

Consider reaching out to people you already connect with in your AA meetings. Organic connections serve as ideal foundations for AA sponsorship relationships.

Does Everyone Need an AA Sponsor?

No, not everyone needs an AA sponsor. However, a sponsor and sponsee relationship is an important one.

Research suggests that AA sponsorship is effective. Additionally, studies show that AA attendance significantly boosts abstinence.8 And people in AA who work with sponsors abstain from drinking alcohol and relapsing more than people who don’t have sponsors.8

If you prefer a different approach, there are alternatives to an AA sponsor. An addiction coach is another option for those struggling with addiction.

Summary

Sponsors are people who help guide you through the AA process. They ensure that you get sober and stay sober. 

Typically an AA sponsor is a senior who has already completed the AA program. They provide the necessary knowledge, experience, and techniques to help you on your journey to recovery.

The duties and responsibilities of a sponsor will vary depending on your needs. The qualities you should look for in a sponsor are:

  • Trustworthiness
  • Experience and knowledge of AA
  • Sympathy and understanding
  • Responsiveness
  • Relatability
Updated on February 2, 2023
11 sources cited
Updated on February 2, 2023
All Alcoholrehabhelp content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies.
  1. Alcoholic Anonymous.” Alcoholics Anonymous.
  2. Addiction Counseling / Overview.” / Overview. 
  3. Alcohol Facts and Statistics.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  4. Alcohol Use Disorder.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2018.
  5. Alcohol's Effects on Health.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  6. Drinking Levels Defined.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  7. Questions & Answers: AA Sponsorship.” Alcoholics Anonymous, AA.
  8. Tonigan, J., and Rice, S. “Is It Beneficial to Have an Alcoholics Anonymous Sponsor?” Psychology of Addictive Behaviors: Journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2010.
  9. Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  10. What Is a Sponsor? Support.” Alcoholics Anonymous Cleveland, 2019.
  11. Whelan, Paul J. P., et al. “Role of Aa Sponsors: A Pilot Study.” OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 2009.
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All content created by Alcohol Rehab Help is sourced from current scientific research and fact-checked by an addiction counseling expert. However, the information provided by Alcohol Rehab Help is not a substitute for professional treatment advice.
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