“A relationship with a sponsor is an important tool in recovery. It is often the beginning of the development of an ability to trust others and communicate effectively.”

– About Sponsorship, MA pamphlet

For me, having a sponsor is one of the greatest gifts of the program. It took me some weeks before I felt comfortable asking someone to work with me. I didn’t feel worthy enough. I remember how uncomfortable I felt when I would end a phone call with my first sponsor and she would tell me she loved me. She was the first person in my life that I felt safe with, and I began to sow the seeds of learning how to trust another.

I came to the program not knowing how to trust. It was so wonderful to learn trust with this loving sponsor who I learned never judged me. She walked me through the first nine Steps, and then she moved away. Then I found another sponsor. I moved and found yet another wonderful person willing to help me work the Steps of this miraculous program. Letting someone know all my secrets, and know they still care for me, has been a transformative experience. It has helped me realize that I’m worthy of love, no matter what I’ve done or who I’ve been. Learning to trust that others care for me has helped me learn to care for myself.

Final thought: My sponsor is not a therapist, but another addict who helps me work the 12-Step program of recovery. I can’t, but we can.