This takes a few minutes. Here's what your role as a sponsor is — and what it isn't.
In recovery, we often need support in several areas at once to truly thrive. However, it's important to remember not everyone is equipped to help in every area. Unless they share otherwise, your sponsor is a peer walking the road with you, not a licensed professional or a pastor.
Below, we outline the distinctions between some very important roles in many people's recovery journeys:
As a sponsor, you are a volunteer who has walked your own road of recovery. You guide others through the steps, share what's worked for you, and walk alongside them. You are not a trained clinician and do not provide therapy or clinical advice.
A therapist is a licensed professional who diagnoses and treats mental health conditions. If a sponsee needs help with deep trauma, clinical anxiety, or complex psychological issues, a therapist is the right person for that work.
A pastor or spiritual leader provides theological guidance and spiritual care. If a sponsee's questions are deeply rooted in faith, doctrine, or spiritual direction, pastoral staff are equipped for those conversations.
Recovery works best when everyone focuses on what they do best. Not one person should try to wear every hat.
This takes a few minutes. It helps us place your profile inside the right organization and connect you with people you are actually equipped to support.
Defining who you are and ensuring you're connected to the right organization.
This code makes sure your profile is only visible inside the right organization.
What areas are you equipped to walk someone through? Select all that apply. This helps us connect you with sponsees in similar recovery journeys.
How do you prefer to guide people? This helps us match you with the right intensity of sponsee.
"I enjoy showing newcomers the ropes, providing a safe landing, and taking it slow."
"I focus on the Step Study and 8 Principles. I provide steady accountability."
"I love going deep. I'll point out blind spots, suggest reading, and analyze the 'why'."
"I can adapt my pacing to whatever the sponsee needs in their journey."
When a sponsee hits a roadblock, what is your first instinct?
"My first move is to offer comfort, pray with them, and remind them of God's love."
"I point them back to the specific Step Study questions and the 8 Principles."
"I want to help them look under the hood to find the root cause and provide resources."
"I'm flexible and can adapt my primary response based on what the person needs."
Choose the language and frameworks you are comfortable navigating with someone else.
Monthly coffee
Weekly calls
Daily check-ins
Whatever they need
This helps us match you with a sponsee who would appreciate your specific background.
Select the life stages you have navigated and rapid-fire alignment questions that define your guidance.
How you navigate conflict and hurt with sponsees helps us match you with someone whose repair needs align with your instincts.