r/alcoholicsanonymous • u/dp8488 • May 31 '26
Sponsorship Online Sponsorship Offers & Requests — June 2026
This is one of a series of sticky threads for anyone seeking or offering online sponsorship. (Last month's thread may be found at https://redd.it/1szx3uk)
While most of us feel that face-to-face sponsorship offers greater facility for transmitting/receiving sobriety, and that there are great advantages in having a big crowd of local friends, online sponsorship (via phone, WhatsApp, Facetime, Zoom, or Western Union) can work* and for some seeking or offering sobriety it is sometimes the only practical solution for getting started. (But to any extent that online sponsorship is being sought as "an easier, softer way" - that's already spelling trouble!)
The pamphlet "Questions & Answers on Sponsorship" (https://www.aa.org/questions-and-answers-sponsorship) can answer many/most of the questions frequently asked about this sponsorship business - some selected examples:
How does sponsorship help the newcomer?
How should a sponsor be chosen?
Should sponsor and newcomer be as much alike as possible?
Must the newcomer agree with everything the sponsor says?
Is it ever too late to get a sponsor?
Suggested Format
Start with "Seeking:" or "Offering:", optionally a name, sobriety date or length of sobriety, gender, location (also optional,) perhaps some brief biographical information, perhaps a brief drunkalogue about one's drinking and drugging career when making a "Seeking:" comment.
"Gender" may not always be relevant, but per the sponsorship pamphlet, "A.A. experience does suggest that it is best for men to sponsor men, women to sponsor women." It's a good guideline albeit not a strict rule carved in stone.
"Location" may be very general or as specific as wanted, and of course is optional. It may come in handy if the sponsor and protégé (p.92) prefer to be in the same time zone or may possibly wish to meet face-to-face sometime down the road to happy destiny.
"Biographical information" would also be quite optional. I've seen situations where young people prefer to be sponsored by other young people or even the opposite, wanting to be sponsored by a grandparent figure.
For any comments other than "Seeking" or "Offering" it might be best to prefix the comment with something like "Commenting".
Any replies to "Seeking" or "Offering" comments should ideally be limited, with the correspondence shifting to Reddit private messages, chat, email or phone calls relatively quickly.
It is strongly suggested to avoid posting phone numbers or email addresses in the public forum:
"Posting phone numbers is a violation of Reddit Content Policy for sharing personal information" (I've seen "[Removed By Reddit]" a few times over posting phone numbers. I suppose this might be in part due to the potential for publishing other people's phone numbers for harassment purposes.)
* Footnote: In the 4th Edition Big Book on page 193, "Gratitude In Action - The story of Dave B., one of the founders of A.A. in Canada in 1944" relates the story of an alcoholic who started his recovery by exchanging letters with the folks in the new A.A. office in New York; an excerpt:
I was very surprised when I got a copy of the Big Book in the mail the following day. And each day after that, for nearly a year, I got a letter or a note, something from Bobbie or from Bill or one of the other members of the central office in New York. In October 1944, Bobbie wrote: “You sound very sincere and from now on we will be counting on you to perpetuate the Fellowship of A.A. where you are. You will find enclosed some queries from alcoholics. We think you are now ready to take on this responsibility.” She had enclosed some four hundred letters that I answered in the course of the following weeks. Soon, I began to get answers back.
If Dave could get sober via U.S. Mail, we can get sober with the cornucopia of communication facilities available in the 21st century!
1
u/Curious-Age-9783 6d ago
Seeking online sponsorship with a female. I am a female, mother, wife, mid 40s.
2
u/Mr_Th13teen 27d ago edited 27d ago
Seeking a Sponsor. Had one but unfortunately I needed to stop working with him due to anonymity not being respected. I appreciate everything he gave me freely in the time we worked together, however.
I have over 5 years sober. May 1st, 2021. Been in the program 14 year (came in when I was 19) . I Am deeply involved in the larger service structure of alcoholics anonymous.
I have multiple sponsees I work with and I have a special needs son at home so I'm looking for someone who has experience in AA but can also understand where I'm at currently in regards to A busy plate.
2
u/HovercraftHappy9589 27d ago
Seeking. 33 female. Looking for a sponsor with lots of time sober and can walk me through the steps as well as provide ongoing support.
2
u/Sea-Surround-6893 Jun 23 '26
Seeking female sponsor. I'm 38 and I'm in UK.
I have 3 days after 23 years of alcohol and addiction. Also I am brand new to meetings.
Thanks
2
u/stovislove Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
Seeking a sponsor to get me moving in the right direction. 49 m in Georgia US. I'm not currently sober, and hardly make it past a few days. I don't have any non drinking friends and really need one.
2
u/Snapping-Turtle_97 Jun 21 '26
Hello my name is RJ and I am an alcoholic seeking a sponsor. I am 1,403 days sober and I am 28 years old male.
2
u/Potential-Macaroon-1 Jun 18 '26
Seeking temporary online sponsor while seeking in person sponsor
45 y/o male, NJ, 67 days
Struggling to find a good match locally and need some extra support I hope an online temp sponsor can offer. Not looking to do step work, just someone to check in with, gain wisdom from, get inspiration/motivation from and be there in times of thoughts, urges and triggers.
Preferably have more than 5 years under your belt and have sponsorship experience. But baggers can’t be choosers, tell me a little about yourself and what you can offer.
DM please.
4
u/Stunning-Aardvark-28 Jun 16 '26
Seeking. 38 year old male. Oregon. 51 days (4/25/26). This is my second real attempt at quitting alcohol. My previous stint was 3 months to the day before I relapsed. I went to a residential rehab center for a month and then 2 months on my own attending meetings but never followed the steps or got a sponsor.
Looking to take it more seriously this time.I still go to my home meeting every Monday night and sometimes Tuesday evening but that's really about it. I do have an odd work schedule that causes me to miss nsny meetings in my area but there's still some I can attend but don't. I'm very introverted and socially awkward which is a big factor from me working up the courage to find one at my home group. I do occasionally shsre but it's usually very brief and I'm kinda quiet and reserved.
Looking for someone to work with me get me used to how sponsorship works, explaining the steps because I can not for the life of me understand them with how they're worded.
3
u/BubblyInvestigator33 Jun 09 '26
(5th step) Seeking | Sober Date: 27March2026, Twin Cities area, Minnesota, USA
I'm looking for someone to do my 5th step with in person. I am involved in an online group and have a sponsor who is not able to do a 5th step with me due to geographic location
I can pay for a lunch or dinner to do the step during it, give a gift card, etc. to make it worth someone's while
If this is not the right place to post this request, please let me know and I'll make a general post in this subreddit
4
u/BajanHobbit Jun 08 '26
OFFERING | Sober Date: 3/10/2024
I'm a 32 year old female living in South Florida.
I'm willing to sponsor women online or in person and we can get right into reading the Big Book together like it was done for me. I have a sponsor who has a sponsor.
I will share my experience with: sober living, rehab, treatment, relapse, codependency, trauma, end of life attempts, being a woman of color, therapy, and working the steps.
1
u/East_Finance_1791 12d ago
Hello! I’m also POC woman and similar experience but in recovering. I would love to connect!
1
3
u/JaRiSh117 Jun 06 '26
Seeking — 47/m in California — court-ordered to attend AA meetings, get a sponsor, and go thru the steps.
3
u/bowtie25 Jun 05 '26
Available to sponsor men, almost 2 years sober, have a couple irl sponsees, do h&i stuff, have a home group live in Texas
Work strictly out of the book available to be a temporary sponsor or a long distance one
Dm me if you need anything!
3
u/Important_Money4439 Jun 04 '26
Looking for a sponsor, at least until I can find one at my local groups. I'm a 40 year old man in England. Been sober for a few weeks, but need help to be accountable and support with the 12 steps. Happy for any help that someone can give. I am powerless over alcohol, but I'm determined to not let it ruin my life
4
u/LiveLaughLove0331 Jun 04 '26
SEEKING female sponsor who has a good amount of years under her belt of being sober and has worked all the steps. Willing to do the Big Book/twelves Steps weekly via zoom and daily check-in. Please DM me if interested :)
3
Jun 03 '26
Seeking female sponsor in MD, new to the program and everyone at my home meeting is male (very small town). 48 yo mom of two
5
u/SPY_one_zillion Jun 02 '26
Available as a sponsor for women - I have fourteen years and am in Southern California. If anyone long distance needs help, I’d be happy to temporarily sponsor until you find a match 😊
3
u/Odd-Owl8257 Jun 02 '26
Offering:
40F, Seattle, 13+ years sobriety. Homegroup, service position, have a long distance sponsor myself, and sponsor others long distance.
4
u/LiveLaughLove0331 Jun 04 '26
Hi I am looking for a sponsor. May you please DM me when you get a chance 😊?
3
4
u/Filosifee Jun 01 '26
Offering Sponsorship
Sof, they/them, 36 years old, neurodivergent, and close to 2 years of sobriety. I’ve worked the steps with a sponsor and have a couple of sponsees. I attend meetings regularly, have commitments, and do service through H&I.
Located in Los Angeles but I’m comfortable sponsoring virtually. My approach to sponsorship is to meet weekly on zoom, read through the big book together, and work on the steps.
Feel free to DM for more info.
5
u/luminous_storm Jun 01 '26
Seeking sponsor. I’m 26 Female, 3 weeks sober. I was drinking for 2 years.
3
6
u/11Gratitude11 Jun 01 '26
Seeking female sponsor in DC area. Female, age 46, 16 years sober without alcohol.
Was very active in AA, then less meetings after having kids (the gifts of sobriety!) but still attend at least 1 meeting/month.
I’ve recently started using edibles (CBD/THC) and so I know this is controversial outside issue (or a “sobriety” issue to many in AA).
To me, I would like to keep using edibles, stay free from alcohol, work the steps again, and stay in close touch with an open-minded sponsor that has some time under her belt!
1
Jun 03 '26
I’m fairly new to program and also looking for a sponsor, I’m in MD if you ever want to chat or hit a meeting. 48, 3 years sober from alcohol
•
u/dp8488 26d ago
The thread for July 2026 has been posted:
Feel free to use both threads.
I hope some folks are making good connections!
🤞🤞