Having a sponsor is a great way to maintain long-term sobriety. Similar to an accountability partner, sponsors are individuals who have been in recovery for many months or years and help others to maintain sobriety. They serve as a confidante and can be beneficial when others are experiencing intense triggers, cravings, or other opportunities for relapse.
Many people who require addiction treatment may fear life after treatment. Worrying about what life will look like post-treatment is normal. Luckily, a sponsor can help you navigate. Instead of asking yourself what life will look like after treatment, ask yourself what it will look like if you do not seek treatment. Is substance use worth the consequences of active addiction?
You could be in a room full of a hundred people drinking or partaking in substance use, and someone struggling with addiction will still feel alone. Addiction is, by nature, isolating. For that reason, support is vital during treatment and throughout recovery.
In the best-case scenarios, individuals have the aid of friends, family, and other loved ones. Unfortunately, not everyone has that kind of support. Even if you have the help of your friends and family, you may experience a disconnect between yourself and your support system.
Family support is invaluable, but there will be times when your family does not fully understand what you are going through. Another reason addiction is isolating is that it can be challenging for people to comprehend unless they have experienced it in some capacity. Your family can provide support, but they may not understand what it feels like to be constantly bombarded with cravings or triggers.
Additionally, they may not fully understand the complex emotions recovery surfaces. That is why support group and working with peer support workers is so vital. Individuals in these groups and professions can understand and sympathize with what you are going through, even though their story is unique. Addiction is an isolating disease, but you do not have to stay in that space.
Connecting with peers in recovery does not just help you feel understood during your journey. These connections allow you to heal, reduce the risks of relapse, and gain confidence in your recovery. You can bond over the healing process and find that your support grows exponentially as you meet new people in recovery.
Some of the other benefits that come with making peer connections in recovery include:
Before continuing, it might be helpful to define what a sponsor is. A sponsor is a person who aids those new to sobriety in their recovery journey. They help these individuals by mentoring them and offering guidance, advice, friendship, and support.
The most significant responsibility of a sponsor is to be present. In many instances, their personal stories offer their sponsees the guidance and advice they seek, especially if they are new to recovery.
Many individuals find sponsors at 12-Step program meetings or other support groups. You can find a sponsor by asking around your support network or contacting your facility to inquire if they know anyone willing to take on a sponsee.
Like an accountability partner, a sponsor should be there for you and listen when things are particularly challenging. There will be days when triggers, cravings, and risks of relapse seem to be on every corner. In these moments, you can call your sponsor and tell them what is happening. They can help you through and get you to another day of recovery.
Believe it or not, sponsorship benefits apply to both the sponsor and the sponsee. Your sponsor will help you by being a listening ear and offering support, guidance, and friendship. Being your sponsor also helps them. They can gain more confidence in their recovery and find a purpose. Sponsors also find the accountability to maintain sobriety because they must set an example.
Additionally, sponsors can motivate you in recovery and provide several valuable resources. Having a sponsor can also offer you a lifelong friend, which some may say is the most valuable part. This comes back to mitigating isolation. Isolation can be dangerous in recovery. Knowing you have a friend can make things feel a little less lonely.
If you or someone you love is looking for a sponsor or looking to become a sponsor, reach out to members of your support network. Chances are they will be able to help locate a sponsor or offer advice on how you can become one today.
Addiction is an isolating disease by nature. As such, having an abundance of support is vital to recovery. In an ideal situation, individuals receive support from their friends, family, and other loved ones. However, peer support is also critical. In addition to peer support, which can be found via support group meetings and aftercare programs, sponsors can be incredibly beneficial. Sponsors are people in recovery themselves who aid others in their newfound sobriety. They offer support, guidance, and resources in many ways, helping reduce the risks of relapse and feelings of loneliness. Talk to someone about finding a sponsor today, and if you or someone you love requires treatment, call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400 today.
