How to Choose A Sponsor in Recovery
Sobriety is a lifelong commitment. When patients leave our luxury alcohol rehab, they still need to take active steps in their recovery in order to avoid relapse. For most people, this involves regularly attending recovery meetings, and at many of these group meetings there is the opportunity to choose a sponsor.
What is a Sponsor?
A sponsor is someone who is sober, established in their sobriety, and will act as a mentor for someone who is still in the early stages of recovery. Essentially the sponsor will help guide their mentee through early recovery toward long-term sobriety. This one-on-one relationship promotes trust and can help both parties stay on the right track. Alcoholics Anonymous was the first group to make the sponsorship program well known, but other 12 Steps groups like Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous have adapted something like the AA sponsor.
Finding a Sponsor that is Best for You
If you are new to recovery and these meetings, it can be hard to know what to look for in a sponsor. The right sponsor could help you see great progress in your recovery, but the wrong sponsor could lead to confrontation or hinder your growth. Our luxury drug and alcohol treatment center is sharing some tips on how to choose a sponsor in recovery that is the right fit.
Focus on Your Needs
Everyone is unique, so you want to make sure you choose the right sponsor for you, not just someone who has all the desired characteristics of what you think makes a perfect sponsor. Although they may be an ideal sponsor for someone else, that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be a good match for you.
Find Someone Relatable
If you went to a luxury spiritual rehab and faith is important to you, then you probably want a sponsor who holds these values at the same regard. Similarly, if you or a community you are a part of has specific needs related to addiction, you may want to find someone else who can relate. You probably want to choose someone of the same gender as well. When you can find a sponsor that you have more in common with, it is usually easier to relate to one another. You may also be more inclined to open up to them faster because they likely have a better understanding of exactly what you are going through.
Look at Their Life & Sobriety
When choosing a sponsor, you should see what their life is like. Are they happy? Are they actively involved in their recovery? Do they feel secure in their sobriety? Do they have a good understanding of who they are in recovery? These are all questions that you want to be able to answer yes to, so picking a sponsor who already has these questions figured out is a good first step.
Consider How Many People They Sponsor
When deciding how to choose a sponsor, you may want to look at the number of people someone is already sponsoring. While someone who is a sponsor to several people has experience and is clearly well-liked, they may not be able to provide you with the individualized attention you need.
Choosing a sponsor is an important part of your recovery journey so make sure you look for someone who is a good fit for your life and your sobriety.
If you still need to take the first step to sobriety or recently relapsed, there is hope. Contact us today at 561-677-9374 to get started.
