Addiction & Recovery

She stuck with me in the beginning and supported me through so much - when I lost my mother, she sat with me in the hospital room! I kept telling her she didn't need to stay, I knew she wasn't well, but she said that she was staying as long as I did. And I hope that I helped her out a few times too (she lost her dog that I loved ).

And I have heard about that happening - I can think of a couple of people I knew who sponsored people who relapsed themselves. One was a guy who probably didn't have enough time to be working with others, but he's back as far as I know. And another was a woman I admired a lot, long time friend of my sponsor, and she apparently has no intention of coming back - and took another girl I liked a lot (her sponsee) with her.

It is hard, I know, to find someone you connect to. But in the beginning it really does help to get to know others who you can relate to - and realize that you aren't alone. That's what kept me coming back - there were all these really nice women who seemed to be doing well and they had the same issues that I did!

And it's never too late to start over. I also have one friend who's not in AA, but in OA (Overeaters Anonymous) and she swears by phone meetings, she often just listens. There are also online meetings too - but I recognize that finding that one person you can relate to is important, since that's what made the difference for me. I also know those who find a "temporary sponsor," just to get started. And others who have had numerous sponsors - I was just lucky to find the right one right away.