• 12 Steps & 12 Traditions
• ISO of SAA
• Prayers
• The Promises
• Sponsorship
• Portable Program
• Outer Circle Sexuality
• Feedback Groups
• Disclosure

Sponsorship

Sponsorship moves our recovery into action. A sponsor provides guidance and support through the process of stepwork and the experience of withdrawal. We encourage you to initiate the sponsorship relationship by asking someone with whom you feel you might work well. Don't be discouraged if you get a few "No's." in time you will receive the "Yes" that is meant for you. When choosing, look for someone who has qualities you admire, who has continuous sobriety from Inner-Circle behavior and has ideally completed their Fifth Step. Do not ask someone to whom you are sexually attracted, as this is a bad mix.

Sponsors are not professionals, but are merely sex addicts who have found a way to stay sober and want to help others. Establishing your "circles" (see the "Three Circles" pamphlet and the discussion in the next section of this booklet), discussing expectations and writing down clear agreements between you may be the first tasks of this relationship. As addicts, we have often led secret lives. A sponsor is someone we regularly check in with. Sponsors will make suggestions, but you are responsible for your program. Sponsors do have lives; don't be upset if they are not always available. This is the time to reach out to others in the fellowship.

Honesty, commitment, openness and a willingness to take suggestions are important attitudes for a sponsee. Finding a permanent sponsor may take time. Thus, it is suggested that when you enter the program you ask someone who has more sobriety time than you and has completed their First Step for temporary sponsorship.

New! Bay Area SAA Draft Sponsorship Pamphlet

Download PDF or Microsoft Word Document

Donate to ISO

Text SAA to 91999

Publishing Announcements

Call (415) 456-1063 or send email to info@bayareasaa.org to publish fellowship news and announcements here.