The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I am new to Alanon - I just went to my first meeting last week, second meeting this week. I really feel like I need a sponsor ASAP, but I have only attended two meetings. They say you are to find someone who you want to ASK to be your sponsor but I don't know any of the members well enough, or even how long they have been involved? But I really need one. Does a member have to be in Alanon a certain amount of time before he/she can sponsor? I do feel I want to ask a person in my group - but what if they say no??? Can they say no??? Do they have to be involved a while and in their step program a while?
I did send an email to someone in my group as well, but felt I might hear from you all sooner. I have been working so hard and by myself that it has become really overwhelming for me. I know I need to share it with someone and I can't go to that many meetings (more than 1 or 2 a week) cause I am a single mom
Hi Jill I was really impressed with your post and can see how sincere you are in working your program I went up to Frequesntly ask Questions and found the answer on Sponsors and copied it for you: Q. What is a Sponsor and How do I get one?
A. A sponsor is a guide. Someone who will help you to become acquainted with the Al-Anon program and will encourage you on your road to recovery.
To get a sponsor, you merely ask someone in the program that you think might be able to help you, preferably someone who has been in the program longer than you, that exhibits some quality that you find attractive.
It is possible to have sponsors online, by asking someone you see in the chat room or on the board that has what you want. It would be preferable to ask this person in private via private message.
Do not be afraid to ask someone to sponsor you. Sponsorship is one of the greatest privileges of recovery. If the person says they cannot sponsor you, dont take it personal. Some people dont feel they are ready yet, others may already be sponsoring as many people as they can handle currently. Just find another person and ask until you can find someone willing! At my meetings we have a telephone list of members who are willing to take telephone calls and be tempory sponsers. See if your meeting has that list.
Something that was suggested to me when I was ready for a sponsor was to choose a sponsor that had worked the steps themselves and that had a sponsor themselves :)
It helps me to remember that a sponsor is not a cousellor, or Higher Power. I can change sponsors at any time, as can they choose to stop the sponsorship - and it can be ok.
comes to mind: 'Easy Does It' - If I take it easy, the answers will come. Recovery from my disease, alanonism' is for life.
