Grateful Heart

Today I went to an AA meeting (my first in 4 months) and there was a man there who said he has been sober 17 years. He said he was with the same sponser for all those years until about 2 weeks ago; then for some reason he and his sponser parted ways. Now he says he has a new sponser and he is starting his steps all back over again. Why does he have to start his steps all back over again if he didn't relapse? Is this a rule in AA that you start over every time you get a new sponser? He didn't mention anything about relapsing.

mikel60

Nah. No rules like that. Really, no rules at all in AA. Just don't drink - or try not to .

livefree

Thanks for asking that question. I've wondered what people do when they finish the steps. Do they go back and do them again in case they missed anything the first time? Oh well, that's waaaay too far in the future for me think about.

Rob B

Sometimes we outgrow our sponsors or find different paths, some people in AA seem to be able to stay sober just on the fellowship and going to meetings (I am not one of these people) there are others who follow the program of recovery outlined in the basic text of AA society, the Big Book. When I am done "working the steps" I hope I have a nice funeral. Steps 1-3 got me ok with myself and a higher power, 4-9 get me ok with the rest of the world, 10-12 I work daily, they give me a daily plan for living that has been working mighty fine so far. I go back and work the steps every time I bring a man through the work and to the real source of recovery that the AA program points us to:God as we understand him. Each time it is different, each time it is powerful.

barb dwyer

Hi Mattie -

I hear others talking a bout going back often, too.

Frankly, my focus is to just get my a$$ through them the first time!

Taking5

You never really finish the steps. It is a life long commitment. Steps 10-12 particularly we need to work over and over.

I do not think someone with 17 years sobriety needs to re do step 1, unless something has happened that has threatened their sobriety.

CarolD

The best info on sponsorship is usually on the free literature rack

"Questions and Answers on Sponsorship"

clears up many misconceptions.

After I finished my formal Step work...one time for me...
I don't work them anymore...I live them as best I can.

Blessings

Grateful Heart

I appreciate all your replies....I believe I understand better now.