Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide fellowship of individuals recovering from alcoholism. The program is built on peer support and the principles of the 12 Steps. Within this structure, a sponsor serves as a personal guide and mentor who helps a newcomer navigate the recovery process. This relationship provides one-on-one guidance in working the program and fostering sustained sobriety.
The AA Definition of Membership
The question of whether an AA sponsor must be an alcoholic is addressed by the fellowship’s foundational principles. According to Tradition Three, the only qualification for membership is a desire to stop drinking. This tradition ensures anyone who believes they have a problem with alcohol can join without barriers. Since a sponsor must be an AA member, they must hold this desire to stop drinking.
A sponsor is formally defined as a member who has made progress in recovery and shares that experience with a fellow member attempting to achieve or maintain sobriety. The shared experience of struggling with alcohol use is implied by the nature of the fellowship. Because the program relies on one person who has successfully recovered helping another, the mentor’s personal history with the substance is inherent to the role.
Essential Qualifications for Sponsorship
While the only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking, qualifications for becoming a sponsor go beyond this basic entry point. These are practical guidelines developed by the fellowship to ensure the mentor can provide effective guidance. The most frequently suggested qualification is a period of continuous sobriety, often recommended to be at least one year, to demonstrate foundational stability in recovery.
A sponsor must have completed the 12 Steps with their own sponsor, as their primary function is to guide another person through the same process. This ensures the sponsor has personal experience with the required actions, such as making amends and taking a personal inventory. Furthermore, a qualified sponsor should be actively engaged in their own recovery, regularly attending meetings and practicing the spiritual principles. This ongoing commitment indicates reliability and sustained personal growth.
Core Responsibilities of an AA Sponsor
The function of an AA sponsor is distinct from that of a medical professional or therapist; they serve purely as a mentor grounded in shared experience. The primary responsibility is to guide the sponsee step-by-step through the 12-Step program. This involves explaining the concepts and practical application of each step, from the admission of powerlessness to carrying the message to others. They share personal insights, known as “experience, strength, and hope,” to illustrate how the principles work in daily life.
The sponsor provides a consistent source of accountability, encouraging the sponsee to attend meetings and follow through on recovery commitments. This often involves regular check-ins, sometimes daily in early sobriety, to discuss challenges and maintain focus. They offer a confidential space for the sponsee to discuss fears, temptations, and personal history contributing to the desire to drink. By providing this structure, the sponsor helps the sponsee develop the tools necessary for long-term sobriety.