Questions and Answers on Sponsorship (contd)

The AA (General Service conference approved) booklet: Questions and Answers on Sponsorship 

Extract: 

“How can a sponsor work with an alcoholic’s family? 

“The sponsor can explain the A.A. program to a spouse, partner or relative, and point out that most members have found it easier to live a life without alcohol when their relatives took an interest in A.A., became familiar with A.A. literature, and attended open meetings of a local group.

In general, the sponsor can help the alcoholic’s family give the newcomer every chance to make good in A.A. and can urge the family not to expect too much, too soon, from the recovering alcoholic.

In some cases, family relationships have slipped seriously as a result of the alcoholic’s behaviour while drinking. The sponsor should not act like a professional counsellor in such situations. However, many threatened relationships have been saved once the primary problem of alcoholism has been brought under control, and the sponsor can point this out.

The sponsor will also want the family to know about Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen, (and for the US) made up of relatives and friends of alcoholics — alcoholics who may or may not be in A.A.

The Al-Anon program parallels A.A.’s but Al-Anon is an entirely separate fellowship. It helps relatives of problem drinkers to understand the illness and its effect on family life. In Alateen — a part of Al-Anon — teenagers who have alcoholic parents share their own experiences. Local groups of Al-Anon and Alateen meet regularly in many communities, where an Al-Anon listing often

appears in the phone book.”

(our emphasis)

Comment: Or if you're a member of a cult group leave the poor buggers alone! They've usually had quite enough of sick alcoholics to last a life time! The Plymouth Road to Recovery gang even had the temerity a number of years ago (or so we are told) to try it on with Alanon in their area offering to 'sponsor' (would you believe!) Alanon members. It was quietly 'suggested' to them that they go forth and multiply! It's a pity that advice is not forthcoming more frequently.....

Remember: a sponsor is NOT ESSENTIAL to recovery. And NO sponsorship is better by far than BAD sponsorship!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(to be continued)