What about a sponsor that you meet at a meeting? It is important to be able to see people face-to-face, especially for someone new in recovery, and also for us oldtimers.
I checked your profile and you didn't put down if you are male or female. Very important to have a sponsor of the same sex. I have to agree with dave about the importance of face to face meetings and choosing a sponsor who you have heard and seen. self centered fear and isolation are primary symptoms of our disease. On line meetings and sponsorship feed into this. Yes, if you live in a remote are with no meetings for a hundred miles, or if you are house bound by physical handicap, then of course on line meetings and sponsors are fine. but those conditions are rare for most of us. Are you really ready to put down the drugs and find a new way of life? If you are, then take the next step and go to a meeting. We are always here to listen and share.
More importantly, in context of identification (in my experience), face-to-face provides two addicts that are doing sponsorship to look at each other in communication. Sometimes what we dont say with spoken words are shown in body language..
This is very important because one addict can best understand and help another addict. Face to face makes things visible that online cannot.
The "moral compass" kicks in better and things like empathy, recognition and belief are much easier when visible to each other.
hope Im making sense ???
Anyways, that said, something is better than nothing and if you are an addict trying to stay clean in isolation, then even an online sponsor is better than none...
And here is a cyber hug !!(((((((((((cheri))))))))) hmmmmmmm
__________________
Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
im afraid to go to meetings and be recognized i work in profession that could be a HUGE mistake to have people see me not making excuses i am isolated and in fear and panic all the time almost screwed up another job recently and i cant live like this
I understand this completly. When I first started going to meetings I purposly went to meetings far away from my house. Burned up alot of gas that way, but over time the fear subsided. OMG! what a releif to no longer be terrified that someone might discover my dirty little secret. I don't know what you do for a living and perhaps you really would be risking you job, but in my experience this fear is greatly exaggerated. Remember...being at a meeting means that you are in recovery. These days it's hard to find any occupation, no matter how responsible that doesn't have it's share of addicts and alcoholics. If you wish to send me an email, feel free. Click on my profile and go to "private messaging" It really does get better. peace.
im afraid to go to meetings and be recognized i work in profession that could be a HUGE mistake to have people see me not making excuses i am isolated and in fear and panic all the time almost screwed up another job recently and i cant live like this
People don't see us at meetings, but we see ourselves at meetings. However people do talk and it may be remotely possible your attendance circles back to someone you didn't tell.
You can always just say you are in AA and sometimes attend NA. There is no shame in the disease. Regardless of what proffession you are in, someone is dealing with alcoholism. Therapists, Dr, shrink, pharmacist, rocket scientist, political office...it's an equal oppurtunity disease.
DO NOT let your fears keep you from asking for help in person.
-- Edited by Davethewave on Tuesday 20th of September 2011 07:23:07 AM
