What Is A Sponsor in AA?
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Updated on: July 28, 2025
Table of Contents
Key Points
- In Alcoholics Anonymous, a sponsor is a fellow AA member who supports another member as they’re working the Twelve-Step Program.
- An AA sponsor may be free to define their own role, but the Alcoholics Anonymous organization does share some recommended guidelines for these types of partnerships.
- An AA sponsor will explain AA philosophy and traditions as well as the different steps of the program, sharing their own experiences in AA.
- A sponsor may also provide the sponsee with AA literature, help them get to meetings, introduce them to other members, and provide support when the sponsee is tempted to drink.
- There are some things a sponsor should avoid doing, including entering a romantic relationship with their sponsee, imposing their personal views and perspectives on the newcomer, or providing therapy or counseling services.
- Working with a sponsor in your recovery is choosing a constant, reliable source of accountability, support, and partnership to aid in your recovery success.
- Anyone who has worked the 12-Step Program has the potential to be a good sponsor, but it could be helpful if the person has at least a year of continued sobriety behind them.
- Professional detoxification services and medical supervision are recommended for safely detoxing from alcohol or any addictive substance.
- Evidence-based treatment options are available for people experiencing alcohol use disorder or any other substance use disorder.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): What Is A Sponsor?
A sponsor is a seasoned member of the organization Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) who offers support and information about recovery to a newcomer who has committed to a life of sobriety. A sponsor-sponsee partnership is symbiotic, and both parties benefit from sharing their recovery journeys.
What Is A Sponsor?
Sponsorship is a fundamental practice and partnership in Alcoholics Anonymous, and it’s as old as the program itself. [1] A sponsor in AA is a more experienced member of the group who has successfully completed the Twelve-Step Program and is actively living a sober life. This person acts as a mentor to a newcomer who is taking the first steps towards sobriety.
What Does an AA Sponsor Do?
Primarily, an AA sponsor supports the newcomers’ sobriety and introduces them to the basics of the 12-step program. They answer any questions the newcomer has about the Twelve Steps, and they’re there to offer encouragement and support when the newcomer needs it. Sponsorship may be particularly important in the early stages of the AA program and can prevent drinking relapses. [2]
An AA sponsor has a great deal of freedom in terms of defining their role. Different members may have different approaches to sponsorship based on their personal views and understanding of the principles outlined in the Big Book, as well as their own experiences with alcoholism and long-term sobriety.
Possible functions of a sponsor in the AA program may include: [3]
- Introducing the newcomer to the other members of the AA group
- Explaining AA Traditions and philosophy as they understand them
- Setting an example of what can be achieved through the 12-Step Program
- Introducing the newcomer to all available AA literature
- Explaining the program to the newcomer’s family members
- Encouraging the sponsee to participate in AA activities or community initiatives
- Referring the newcomer to professional services when necessary, such as in the case of a mental health condition or abuse
What Does an AA Sponsor Not Do?
In some cases, the effectiveness of an AA sponsor is based as much on what they avoid doing as what they actually do. A good sponsor avoids: [4]
- Acting like they know everything or that they’re always right
- Imposing their own personal views onto their sponsee
- Doesn’t become romantically involved with the newcomer (The sponsor-sponsee relationship should be completely platonic)
- Does not provide mental health counseling or any other professional service
These are just a few examples of sponsor behavior that might be looked down on by Alcoholics Anonymous. It could be important to practice common sense when defining a sponsor’s role and asking for help when you need it.
Who Makes a Good AA Sponsor?
Nearly anyone who has worked the 12 steps has the potential to be a good AA sponsor. Typically, an effective sponsor is a person who is active in recovery and has at least a year of continuous sobriety behind them. [5] Other characteristics of a potential sponsor may include:
- Is a patient with the newcomer or sponsored party, and can take the time to answer any and all questions they have
- Has the time to be available to their sponsee on a consistent and regular basis
- Has no personal agenda other than helping the newcomer follow the AA program
- Doesn’t take offense when the newcomer asks another AA member for information or assistance
- Is flexible and can adapt its approach to accommodate the sponsored party’s needs or preferences
- Is enjoying the sober life
Finding a sponsor can be a simple process, or you may face obstacles. Many AA meetings reserve time for people who wish to sponsor to introduce themselves to newcomers, which can facilitate the process. If you’re matched with a sponsor and find that you’re not compatible with them, you can switch sponsors at any time.
Who Needs a Sponsor? Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder
If you or a loved one is drinking heavily or having a hard time controlling drinking habits, it could be a sign of alcohol use disorder, or AUD for short. Signs and symptoms of AUD include: [6]
- Experiencing intense cravings for an alcoholic beverage
- Having a high tolerance for alcohol
- Unsuccessfully attempting to limit or quit drinking
- Continuing to drink even though it’s making a health condition worse (physical or mental)
- Continuing to drink even though it’s causing problems at work or in relationships
- Giving up enjoyable or productive activities due to drinking
- Drinking in situations that pose a risk to personal safety
- Spending a lot of time acquiring alcohol, drinking alcohol, or recovering from hangovers
- Consistently failing to meet responsibilities due to drinking
- Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms when abstaining from alcohol
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), experiencing just two or more symptoms of alcohol use disorder may point to an addiction.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when abstaining from alcohol is a hallmark symptom of physical dependence. These withdrawal effects may include: [7]
- Trouble thinking clearly
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Shakiness
- Nightmares
- Trouble sleeping
- Severe headache
- Clammy skin
- Excessive sweating
- Dilated pupils
- Paleness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Delirium tremens
- Fever
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Extreme confusion
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be serious and, in rare cases, life-threatening. The safest way to detox is in a treatment facility under direct medical supervision. If you or a loved one is detoxing at home and begins to experience severe symptoms such as abnormal heart rhythm, hallucinations, confusion, or seizures, call 911 and seek emergency medical attention.
Finding Treatment
If you or a loved one is considering Alcoholics Anonymous, you may also require professional treatment for alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder. An alcohol addiction can be a powerful force, and it might not be feasible to face it alone. Fortunately, qualified substance use and alcohol rehabilitation centers in New Jersey are ready and willing to provide the support you need to embrace a sober life.
While AA provides evidence-based support for alcoholics looking to maintain their sobriety, many people require additional support, such as medical detoxification services, behavioral therapy, and mental health counseling, for example. Often, a multifaceted approach to treatment is required. Treatment options may include inpatient and partial hospitalization services, intensive outpatient treatment, residential care, and aftercare support.
Frequently Asked Questions About AA Sponsorship
Can an AA member have more than one sponsor?
Yes. Enthusiastic members who want to share the recovery journey with others can have more than one sponsor, but there may be some considerations to take into account, such as their availability, as well as the shared privilege and responsibility of the group to take on sponsorship. If another member wants to become a sponsor, their desire to contribute should also be considered. Moreover, the AA literature warns that taking on too many sponsees could risk the sponsor’s own sobriety.
Which is better: having a sponsor or attending meetings?
Research into the effectiveness of AA practices and traditions has determined that having a sponsor could be just as effective or more effective than attending AA meetings. [9] Ideally, a newcomer will embrace both of these fundamental practices of the recovery program.
Can I do AA and receive professional treatment services for alcohol use disorder?
Yes. Peer support, such as the kind received through participation in Alcoholics Anonymous, can complement professional substance use and rehabilitation treatment services. AA is not meant to be a replacement for rehab, however.
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[1] [3] [4] [5] [8] Questions and answers on sponsorship. Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.). https://www.aa.org/questions-and-answers-sponsorship
[2] Tonigan, J. S., & Rice, S. L. (2010, September). Is it beneficial to have an alcoholics anonymous sponsor?. Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5512698/#S9
[6] Alcohol use disorder. Cleveland Clinic. (2025a, June 2). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3909-alcoholism
[7] U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.-a). Alcohol withdrawal: Medlineplus Medical Encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000764.htm
[9] Witbrodt, J., Kaskutas, L., Bond, J., & Delucchi, K. (2012, February). Does sponsorship improve outcomes above Alcoholics Anonymous attendance? A latent class growth curve analysis. Addiction (Abingdon, England). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3260344/#S18
