APC Presents The Sponsor-Sponsee Relationship

The relationship between a Sponsor and a Sponsee is very special in the recovery process. We recorded this live virtual chat between Tim Clay and Art Wimberly, who have have helped each other through the good times and the bad. If you're curious about the role of a Sponsor, this is the video for you.

[Nilzebubula-Na-Gig]

Thank you Gentlemen for your experience, strength, hope, and guidance. I’m ISO of a sponsor and your shared experiences are truly a boon to my confidence in my search today.

[owenwsmith]

The miracle of AA is that we help each other for free and for fun with no expectation.

[carolgerber]

I just ended my sponsor relationship after about 2 1/2 months. Not a good situation. She encouraged codependent behavior for me and when I pushed back she said 'Well, it's YOUR path.'! I highly recommend vetting your sponsor and setting clear boundaries on your first meeting. If your gut is telling you not to get involved with that person, then listen!

[jcepri]

I'm brand new to the Steps (2 months). I'm the same as Art was.... I have a VERY hard time asking for help, so it was very hard for me to ask this guy to be my sponsor a week ago. He said yes and I was thrilled because I feel totally lost. It's not that I'm one of those people who feels like he can do it on my own. I know I can't My issue is I don't feel worthy of being helped, so I'm always looking for signs that I'm bothering you or being a nuisance. what I need is a therapist who can help me with recovery. Anyway, thanks for this video. It's very helpful!

[DAClub-ufbr]

I spent 2 years in AA. My sponsors never ask anything of me that help me at all. It was all about doing what helped them with no thought of what might help me.

[mabelbuttress]

Stuck on step 5 and now I know why. Thank you for this. Trust is key!

[Smiler]

No more. Not doing either. Happy days.

[itsgoodtobeclean]

A good sponsor is recommended but Everything you need to work the 12 steps is in the AA/ NA literature.

[davemccall]

Quit drinking eight years ago after drinking for fifty years with the last thirty-five years drinking excessively every day. I thought that any resources that would benefit my sobriety id check out. That's when I thought about AA. Not knowing much about it. Except it was a means to help people struggling with alcoholism. I never had a sponsor but have been approached a couple of times by people who asked me if they wanted me be my sponsor. I'd respectfully decline. It seems to be two types of AA ers. Those seeking a sponsor and those who can't wait to be a sponsor. Always thought that having a sponsor you didn't have to agree with each other all the time. But it was

[CassandraRose-ei]

How common is Sponsors Ghosting Sponsees? What a horrible thing to do to a vulnerable, struggling person! Also, I thought the Sponsor/Sponsee relationship was supposed to be one of Equals. -like Bill W. and Dr. Bob. My 2nd Sponsor acted like a Wanna Be Cult Leader-Who Lacked Charisma. Who the hell was she to Try to be the Boss in MY Life? In my experience, it seems like people with Narcissistic Traits were trying to Feed Their Egos, and I wasn't Good Supply. How common is this? Does AA attract many people with personality disorders to be Sponsors?