Hi to all-My name is krista and I am addict. As functional as I was, the addiction caught up to me. I am a mother of 4 children, whom all live their natural dads in a state 1500 miles away.(not my choice) My youngest is just now back into my life after being away from me for a year (DCF). For the first time since I was a teenager I nolonger have a job. All I have is my newly found fellowship at NA locally and my bond with my higher power. Soon I will be in my nineth month of clean time. I haven't even been in recovery for a year with a relapse after three months. Since My relapse My bond with my higher power grew tremenously. Serenity Prayer keeps my chin up, ONE DAY AT A TIME gets me up and going every morning. Though I have done Terrific on my own up until now, I really need a sponsor to help with the steps in my recovery. I hate the thought of asking someone to be my sponsor. I feel as if they will talk about me to their friends and mock me. ...Does anyone have any helpful hints for me to get over the fear of getting a sponsor? Thank you for listening. Glad to be here. Krista In Florida
All I have is my newly found fellowship at NA locally and my bond with my higher power
Well now, that's something isnn't it!!
One of the things sponsorship teaches us is trust...It is necessary if we are to grow spiritually. My suggestion would be to go to meetings, listen to the women speak, and then speak with them after meetings. It's sad but true that sometimes people say the most spiritual things when they share at a meeting and then outside the meeting they gossip, put others down, and generally talk trash. But many will live the program...these are the winners...stick to them and you'll be just fine. Thanks for sharing, and keep coming back.
I'm also an addict, who doesn't have her children, and I'm fairly new to the program (5/10/11). Like you, I have struggled with the whole sponsor thing. I'm already on my second, as the first one I asked, just didn't mesh with me. So I waited for a bit, and prayed on it, and watched and listened to the women as they shared in meetings, and then a couple weeks ago, approached another. I am guilty of having the stereotypical thousand-pound phone, and struggle with picking it up. I'm not perfect yet - I don't call every day, but generally every 2-3 days I do. Honestly, it's like every other relationship in life - trust will take some time to build, and I like to think that's the reason the steps are designed the way they are; before you get to the 4th, 5th & 6th steps, (which, let's face it, are hard to face), we've already done some trust-building with our sponsor, through the first 3 steps. Anyone that can help guide you toward a relationship and trust with a Higher Power, surely can be trusted with the rest of your stuff.
Welcome! Congratus on your recovery so far. I hope you are able to find a sponsor. I understand that you have some apprehension about this but it is important to reach out and give it a try. I'm sure there are many women in your area who would make fine sponsors. The benefits are huge.
As for the courage to ask someone to be your sponsor, you need not be afraid. Recovery, hers and yours, depends on the therapeutic value of one addict helping another. You CAN recover the answer is in the steps. Only a sponsor can show us the way.
Some look for others in similar situations. some look for a sponsor who carries and shares a strong message of recovery. Some just ask the first person that comes into their life at a meeting. There is no wrong way, except NOT asking. You can feel proud knowing that you have the courage to ask for help. Bless you,