Sam thinks recovery is dependent upon doing what we are uncomfortable doing. Sponsorship is a way for us to give back to the program some of what we have gained. We can''t make recovery happen for our sponsees. He asks four things of his sponsees: 1) frequent contact and getting together weekly 2) work the steps 3) self assessment - chart the progress and 4) bring honesty to the meetings.

Paula spent a year in meetings without getting a sponsor because she was too afraid. Once she accepted "I can't - God can - I think I'll let Him", her recovery flourished.

Darryl talks about sponsorship from the view of the sponsee. Willingness to accept a sponsor is a willingness to accept the First Step. He thought that a sponsor was going to tell him to stop this, that, and the other - right now. His sponsor did not do that. His sponsor admitted that he had a hard time early on in his recovery. He asks his sponsees to be available and work the steps. He reminds them that recovery is difficult.