chicago

whoa im really nervous. a young kid struggling with heroin that i was trying to help called me tonight. he's in really bad shape very hopeless and was asking for help. he wants me to sponser him. not sure what to do and scared to death about not saying the right thing i called my sponser. we're going together to 12-step him tommorow and take him to my tuesday meeting. we prayed for him. i hope he shows up. i feel like im still in early sobriety (13+ months) but my sponser instructed me to proceed and when i dont know what to do...just ask him (which might be all the time). anyways please pray for this guy tonight...he needs a miracle.

best

Sponsorship... sharing what you know with those who need what you know.

You will do great. 13+ worth of info gathering from life that can help him understand how things work...Yes you will do great.

...he needs a miracle...

Well God can us me to bring such to others so I know He can use you to do the same.
Prayers for him and prayers for you as you guide him.

mcdo1268

I know the feeling...the unfortunate thing about this situation and many you will come across is that they have to want it and we cant want it more for them then they do. Take it slow and good luck

nogard

(((((chicago))))) sending prayers and love.

Kevin

Pilgrim

Nogard,

To us newbies you are a guru.

nogard

Me! lol oh well I guess I am getting on

Kevin

best

To us old timers he is pretty good as well.

Thank you Keven

nogard

awww thank you.

You are both pretty amazing as well you know

Kevin

nogard

lol we got off topic a bit, never mind, sorry chicago and I hope your doing ok.

Kevin

best

Same topic...different name is all. *LOL*

Ok back to the name with the topic.

Chicago is being added in as one of those who makes a difference in the lives of others.
Sponsorship is an awsome step and privilege.

nogard

I agree best, no one has asked me yet but when they do I expect to be a little nervy and to ask my sponsor for help as well as God of course.

I have just put my name down as a temp sponsor in my home group we get around 70 people attend so there can be a few needing a hand to hold.

Kevin

chicago

i agree, im glad your here. im understanding now about the sponsership line. im actively sponsered. my sponser (12 years) is actively sponsered. my grandsponser (16 years) is actively sponsered and so on. im just going to take him through this just like my sponser did with me and ill ask for help every single time i dont know how to handle a situation.
we'll see what happens to tonight!

Time2Surrender

I would say he made a good choice asking you to sponsor him. You'll do fine. I was around 13 months when I got my first sponsie. Watch out. Its contagious. One sponsie leads to two, two leads to three and so on and so on.

Golfman

I'm taking a big leap here so forgive me if I step on anyone's toes. I've been around for a while now. The sponsors I've known have one thing in common. They've all worked the 12 steps of AA and are living a life of sobriety. IMHO, as long as you've worked the 12 steps to the best of your ability, then you are ready to be a sponsor.

I always have to remember that "you can't give away what you don't have." This is not directed at anyone here on this thread. It's just a cautionary note that I find useful.

Yours in sobriety,
Ed

chicago

well tonight went great. my sponser picked me up and we grabbed him. talked over coffee before heading to our meeting. i group conscioused step1 (its a 12/12) and the comments were great. not putting expectations on anything but he seems like he'll make it through day 1. i can indentify alot with this guy (he's young, same DOC, goes to the same college i went to, similar background,etc) so hopefully he can get something out of me. he flat out admitted his life was unmanageable and he had no control over using.

as far as working all 12 steps, ive done the majority of my amends (financial and living) and until i can get out of state to see certain people my sponser has had me working maintainence steps (10, 11, 12). not saying that qualifies me or disqualifies me, but it is what it is and we'll see what happens. im praying for the best.

Golfman

Chicago,

You're doing all the right things. I didn't mean to imply that you weren't qualified. Your sponsor knows you best. You've done all the work you can do. I'm sure your ESH will benefit others as they come along. You're giving away what you've been given just by being here.

Keep the faith,
Ed

Taking5

Chicago,

There is a great book I've been reading that may help. Its one of the Hazelden books "12 Step Sponsorship - How it Works". There's lots of good info there for both sponsor and sponsee, IMO.

GlassPrisoner

Know how you feel.

I've only got a little over 4 months, and a guy was hinting around about me being his sponsor. I told him to pick someone with more sobriety (even though I've been through the steps).

We're still good friends, and talk daily.

Also, don't feel bad if he/she slips.

Isn't it cool giving back ?

chicago

he did slip. my sponser and i 12-stepped him on tues and took him to a meeting. he called me yesterday and met me at my homegroup. he was definitely high. he's asking for help but cant get sober on his own. he needs detox/recovery house or impatient. we'll find out if he's willing to go to any length?

1_day@_a_time

good attitude, it's been my experience it can be a challenge to stay out of the results business. He has to want it!

Oh, and when in doubt, ask your Higher Power for help!