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Step Twelve states, “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” 

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Being a sponsor is one form of twelfth-step service, and a valuable experience for growth. As well as helping other members of the EA fellowship develop their own recovery, sponsors will also learn much from the experience of sponsoring and strengthening their own recovery.

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Find out more about sponsorship:

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• EA Pamphlet: “How our Meetings Work” –  talks about what a sponsor does and how to choose a sponsor. 

• The EA International website covers the sponsor/sponsee relationship in detail:

• “What is Sponsorship and Co-Sponsorship?” and answers the following questions:

• What does a Sponsor or Co-Sponsor do?

• Encourage Sponsorship and Co-Sponsorship in your EA Group

• How to Choose a Sponsor or Co-Sponsor 

• Reasons to Change your Sponsor or Co-Sponsor

• How to end a Sponsoring or Co-Sponsoring Relationship

• Questions to Ask Yourself about Becoming a Sponsor, Co-Sponsor or Sponsee 

• Here is some additional guidance we have found helpful:

  • Our step-programme and our experience tells us, no-one is a perfect sponsor. A sponsor may guide and support a sponsee in working the steps and finding their own answers. Sponsors have an understanding of the importance of anonymity and confidentiality.

  • Each person has the freedom to choose a sponsor they feel comfortable working with. Sponsors often have had at least one year in the programme and have worked some or all of the 12 steps. While one member’s preference is a sponsor who has worked all of the steps, other members seeking a sponsor may feel comfortable working with a member who is ahead of them in their step work, but who has not yet worked all 12 steps. 

  • Sponsors are typically active in their EA groups and have support systems for themselves with a sponsor or a co-sponsor.   

 

​In January 2025 the EA UK Intergroup held a special meeting about sponsorship. Three main speakers agreed for their shares to be recorded so they could share their experiences of sponsoring and being sponsored. 

 

Click on the names below to hear the recordings.

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JULIO

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KATE

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TERRON

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