At meetings, we invite newcomers to ask for a temporary sponsor, or the phone number of one or more other members, to help answer questions and to provide guidance during this delicate stage.
A temporary sponsor is another member in SA who is in stable sobriety and has worked the 12 Steps of SA. A temporary sponsor works alongside a sponsee to guide them through the 12 Steps of SA. A sponsor is not a coach, therapist or task-master – they simply share their experience, strength and hope with a sponsee to provide an example of how the SA program has worked in their own life.
Temporary sponsorship has no definite term, but is usually expected to last 90 days, at which point both the sponsee and the sponsor can assess whether they would like to continue this relationship. There is no commitment.
Truly, sponsorship is indispensable in helping us stay sober!