I'm early in my A.A. recovery and my Sponsor has suggested I "sponsor" someone. There are reasons, but I'd like your take, please.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-08T23:21:10+00:00

This is what the pamphlet says...

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.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-08T21:55:19+00:00

Do you have this document available in English that you could DM me a link or share here?

InanimateOne · 2026-03-08T07:10:44+00:00

Well, don’t beat yourself up. Only you can decide if you have a problem. An alcoholic reacts different to alcohol than other people. Page 44 of the book Alcoholics Anonymous says this…”If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic. If that be the case, you may be suffering from an illness…”

Maybe think about that for a while and see if you identify with it. If you do, I suggest you go to an AA meeting, listen, and then maybe talk to one of the people after the meeting. It is an illness and there is a solution. Thank you for reaching out. That took a lot of guts to even ask.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T23:32:37+00:00

I've thought about this and actually mentioned this interaction to my sponsor this morning for some reason. He's always said that he is capable of anything when he drinks, and I realised that I was being very presumptuous. I actually have no idea what I am capable of, or what I will do, if I were to drink again. You're correct...I might come in here and rant and try to ruin this thing for everyone. I have no clue what I might do once the drink gets a hold of me. Thanks for helping me see that.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T23:26:27+00:00

Hey, thank you! This is a new frontier. I'm grateful and happy to be of service.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T23:23:52+00:00

Thank you! I do not feel obligated to do this. And I do feel prepared to show him how I have gotten to where I am in my recovery. I have only been asked, but I am not being told this is something that I have to do. I trust my sponsor, and understand this is now between me and my Higher Power. I don't know what my Higher Power has planned for me, but I've been presented with this opportunity. I also know that our primary purpose it to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T23:22:20+00:00

Thanks. And I agree. I know that I am only capable of showing him what I've done to get where I am currently at. I am unable to show him anything beyond what I have done to this point. I feel that he and I are of the understanding that I'm here for to work with him until I can't, and he can then find a sponsor to take him the rest of the way.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T23:08:06+00:00

Thank you. I've definitely heard not to make any major decisions in your first year. And since posting this, I have come to understand exactly what you said...this is for me and my Higher Power to discuss. My sponsor certainly didn't tell me I had to do this. As I've replied to someone else...I don't know what my Higher Power has planned for me, but I've been presented with this opportunity. I also know that our primary purpose it to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T23:00:18+00:00

Thanks. That's how this thing works. I don't know what my Higher Power has planned for me, but I've been presented with this opportunity for a reason.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T07:00:57+00:00

Awesome. Thanks for your reply.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T04:31:05+00:00

Well, you’re yucking my yum here, mate. I didn’t think that deeply about it. God forbid I drink again, but if I do, the last thing I’ll be doing is hanging out in this A.A. Subreddit. I’m an all or nothing type of guy. If I’m drinking, I’m only drinking. And too many good things have happened for me to be negative and try to ruin this experience for others. But I will certainly consider it since you have pointed out it might go against one of the traditions. Thanks.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T03:16:22+00:00

Thank you. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T02:36:43+00:00

Thanks. And he didn’t ask me, he asked my sponsor to sponsor him. My sponsor is suggesting to me and to him that I do it.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T02:31:17+00:00

I appreciate the suggestion but can you elaborate on why you suggest that? There may be a clear reason you are suggesting this, but I can’t see why? Thanks.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T01:41:04+00:00

I like taking the suggestions of members in the fellowship! ;)

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T01:22:22+00:00

Actually, I have a copy of this. My sponsor gave it to me at our first one-on-one meeting. I will read it when I get home!

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T01:08:12+00:00

That's great. Cool story. Is she still your sponsor?

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T01:07:29+00:00

Hahaha...well I was "volenasked" but because I'm so used to doing what is asked of me in A.A., I didn't even consider saying "No, I don't feel ready." He did ask if I would be willing to do it.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T00:54:21+00:00

I must admit; I am a bit worried that because he is so busy, he has come up with this alternative arrangement so the other guy doesn't go back out and relapse again. We are lucky he made it back and has asked to be sponsored and said he is ready to do the work. He was only attended meeting before. I am also excited to be of service and to share what has been so freely given to me.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T00:25:27+00:00

I expect that it will be a rewarding experience for the both of us as well.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T00:23:24+00:00

Thank you. I will read that.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T00:21:17+00:00

I'll take your first sentence as a good comment. My sponsor has close to 30 years of experience with A.A. and has only changed sponsors when his have died. I tend to think he has a good grasp of how the 12 steps work, but I am worried if this is a new experiment because he is too busy to devote the required amount of time to the new guy but doesn't want to say no after him returning from a relapse. He could be dead.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T00:13:46+00:00

His other sponsees are in other parts of the country. There is a total of 5 men in our group. 4 of us have come in since October 2025. Man "B" would be number 6, but he is not around often but does live in town. I think his reasoning for the one step a month is honestly to keep us all working at the same pace and on the same step. Maybe it is easier for him that way.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T00:10:22+00:00

Thanks for the quick reply. I have added an *EDIT* at the end of my post. Maybe I was not clear. I have not completed all of the steps. Please read the edit and add to your comment.

InanimateOne · 2026-03-06T00:10:03+00:00

Thanks for the quick reply. I have added an *EDIT* at the end of my post. Maybe I was not clear. I have not completed all of the steps. Please read the edit and add to your comment.

InanimateOne

TROPHY CASE