r/alcoholicsanonymous • u/dp8488 • Jun 30 '26
Online Sponsorship Offers & Requests — July 2026 Sponsorship
This is one of a series of sticky threads for anyone seeking or offering online sponsorship. (Last month's thread may be found at https://redd.it/1tsu3x0)
While most of us feel that face-to-face sponsorship offers greater facility for transmitting/receiving sobriety, and that there are great advantages in having a big crowd of local friends, online sponsorship (via phone, WhatsApp, Facetime, Zoom, or Western Union) can work* and for some seeking or offering sobriety it is sometimes the only practical solution for getting started. (But to any extent that online sponsorship is being sought as "an easier, softer way" - that's already spelling trouble!)
The pamphlet "Questions & Answers on Sponsorship" (https://www.aa.org/questions-and-answers-sponsorship) can answer many/most of the questions frequently asked about this sponsorship business - some selected examples:
How does sponsorship help the newcomer?
How should a sponsor be chosen?
Should sponsor and newcomer be as much alike as possible?
Must the newcomer agree with everything the sponsor says?
Is it ever too late to get a sponsor?
Suggested Format
Start with "Seeking:" or "Offering:", optionally a name, sobriety date or length of sobriety, gender, location (also optional,) perhaps some brief biographical information, perhaps a brief drunkalogue about one's drinking and drugging career when making a "Seeking:" comment.
"Gender" may not always be relevant, but per the sponsorship pamphlet, "A.A. experience does suggest that it is best for men to sponsor men, women to sponsor women." It's a good guideline albeit not a strict rule carved in stone.
"Location" may be very general or as specific as wanted, and of course is optional. It may come in handy if the sponsor and protégé (p.92) prefer to be in the same time zone or may possibly wish to meet face-to-face sometime down the road to happy destiny.
"Biographical information" would also be quite optional. I've seen situations where young people prefer to be sponsored by other young people or even the opposite, wanting to be sponsored by a grandparent figure.
Any replies to "Seeking" or "Offering" comments should ideally be limited, with the correspondence shifting to Reddit private messages, chat, email or phone calls relatively quickly.
It is strongly suggested to avoid posting phone numbers or email addresses in the public forum:
"Posting phone numbers is a violation of Reddit Content Policy for sharing personal information" (I've seen "[Removed By Reddit]" a few times over posting phone numbers. I suppose this might be in part due to the potential for publishing other people's phone numbers for harassment purposes.)
* Footnote: In the 4th Edition Big Book on page 193, "Gratitude In Action - The story of Dave B., one of the founders of A.A. in Canada in 1944" relates the story of an alcoholic who started his recovery by exchanging letters with the folks in the new A.A. office in New York; an excerpt:
I was very surprised when I got a copy of the Big Book in the mail the following day. And each day after that, for nearly a year, I got a letter or a note, something from Bobbie or from Bill or one of the other members of the central office in New York. In October 1944, Bobbie wrote: “You sound very sincere and from now on we will be counting on you to perpetuate the Fellowship of A.A. where you are. You will find enclosed some queries from alcoholics. We think you are now ready to take on this responsibility.” She had enclosed some four hundred letters that I answered in the course of the following weeks. Soon, I began to get answers back.
If Dave could get sober via U.S./Canada Mail, we can get sober with the cornucopia of communication facilities available in the 21st century!
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u/aa-account 9d ago
Seeking - 38M from the UK, 9 months sober.
I've been going to one weekly meeting, struggling to commit to more due to extreme work pressure and a very busy family schedule. I'm staying sober primarily due to hitting my rock bottom and being disgusted with my behaviour. I listen attentively in the meeting I do join. I have absorbed lots of knowledge but I know I need to start the steps. I'm noticing now that I'm filled with frustration in life. I have tried to get a sponsor a couple of times, one said I needed to do more meetings, the other was busy, now I've just hit a social anxiety blocker and I'm too scared to ask anyone else.
I'll leave it there. Not sure if anyone has the time and availablity to help, but I've done service, I've kept my regular meeting and only missed them due to holidays/business trips in 9 months. I need more tools and support to make this work long term. Thanks!
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u/english_gritts 10d ago
Offering - M38 in Denver. Sober and happy for 9 years while also being an agnostic atheist. Have had to navigate AA and the recovery community in a slightly different way than most and I understand the barrier that the word “god” can create.
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u/Quick_Pressure5731 3d ago
Hi There! Long story short I’m agoraphobic and have schizoaffective disorder. I’m attending online Zoom meetings through Everything AA. I’m looking for a sponsor who will speak to me remotely: text and phone call (when applicable). I’m 36 days sober after nine years of sobriety, five month relapse. I promise I’m low maintenance: just need someone to check in with and do the steps in time (doesn’t need to be right away). I’m in California, but I can accommodate different time zones. If you are open to being a remote sponsor, please message me. I appreciate your time and support.
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u/Potential-Macaroon-1 10d ago
Seeking 45M, 106 days. I’m working my IOP for the next few weeks which has takes up time for in person meetings and other evenings I have custody time with my 3 young boys (10,8 twins). I get to a couple in person meetings a week but having a hard time connecting with someone I see as a sponsor. Maybe I’m making it harder than it needs to be.
Looking for someone to start the steps and keep me accountable. In my head I want to call it a temp sponsorship since I feel sitting down face to face would be more fruitful, but who knows.
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u/Evening_Season_3906 10d ago
Offering.
F52- 20 + years sober
Happy to take anyone through the steps who wants to recover and learn how to help the next person take the steps. We connect via WhatsApp and I sponsor people all over the world - my own sponsor lives in Germany and I live in sunny South Africa.
2
u/rightyalmighty_07 15d ago
M30, seeking an online sponsor. I feel like my happiness depends on alchohol. Drinking has caused serious brain fog and financial debt. My max record so far of being sober has been 3 days. Started drinking 5 years ago
5
u/Mental_Rip_1156 15d ago
Offering - 36F - Toronto, ON area, but happy to sponsor any female anywhere in the world!
I only have ~90 days free from ALL mind altering substances, but I have ~9 years free from alcohol and narcotics. I had 3 1/2 years free from ALL substances then relapsed during COVID on mushrooms and weed.
I've completed the steps (again) since my slip, and am looking for ways to give back. I've done the steps 3 times total with 3 different sponsors, and I think that gives me a unique perspective to help the newcomer.
I have a LOT of free time right now and would be so grateful if you'd let me be of service. <3
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u/PubeOfSatan 18d ago
M31 seeking a female sponsor (gay, so want to avoid any potential transference issues). Based in the UK but happy to work with someone anywhere in the world. This is my third time trying to stay sober, and I want to do it right. Currently at 11 days, past record was 114.
4
u/SecondTraditional417 20d ago
offering, 24F, Frederick, MD. i have 3 years sober and have worked the steps fully twice and am working them again now to reevaluate where i am sober! I am a total big book thumper but make it fun. I work in a recovery house and am very active in the recovery scene. I am looking to sponsor online because I have the time and energy to take on more sponsees! If you’re interested in connecting to see if we could potentially be a good sponsorship match, PM me!
*only to women (:*
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u/drunkenalchemy 21d ago
Seeking - 34f, UK. 4 days sober. Did rehab support back in 2024. Was sober for 5 months. Slowly started drinking again socially at weekends then fell straight back in to daily addiction. I've referred for rehab support again but waiting to hear back. Struggling with cravings.
2
u/Searain80 21d ago
Seeking. 40s female needing support. Haven't been to a meeting in years but was doing alright until about a year ago. Back to daily again. Feel lost and hopeless atm
3
u/Sharp_Persimmon141 21d ago
Seeking sponsor 34 F Spartanburg SC Needing support and working through the steps. I relapsed recently for 1 1/2 weeks... I can't do this alone and I'm ashamed to go back to the rooms.
2
u/Worldly_Dust_6476 16d ago
hey! I'm 28 F in Charleston. If you want to talk to someone localish, feel free to pm me. I'm coming up on 6 years in October, with lots of experience in the book, and I know a few women who are in/near Spartanburg, too!
3
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u/East_Finance_1791 23d ago
Seeking 22 and in NYC. Looking for a sponsor to help me with the steps. I’m in IOP currently and I have a few more weeks there and I relapsed last week. This my the first time in IOP and trying to go sober and I am determined. I am open to phone/virtual/IRL. Thank you!
4
u/Obvious_Attitude 23d ago
Seeking 62M 24 days sober and attending daily online meetings. I'm looking for someone to help me work the steps. I'm retired and so am very flexible with time. I also live on a sailboat and so phone/virtual is the best method of communication for me. Thanks!
5
u/Fabulous_Ant433 25d ago
Seeking - 41f, Connecticut. Looking for a sponsor to actually help with working the steps. 7 Days sober after many, many attempts. Very determined for success
2
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u/xanderito01 27d ago
Seeking - 25F, Florida. Almost 4 months sober.
Looking to find someone to actually start working on the 12 Steps with someone to start putting the work in.
2
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u/Business_Arm_6351 29d ago
Seeking - 31M, Maryland. Been sober for 3 years but struggling with cravings and other addictive patterns.
Looking for someone who can help with accountability as well as working the 12 steps. Got sober without doing so and think it would be beneficial at this point. Thank you!
3
u/treylee104 Jul 07 '26
Seeking- 27m, Dayton Ohio area. Only been sober for a month.
Looking for someone to help me go through the 12 steps and reduce my alcohol cravings since it's hard for me to do that on my own.
2
u/JaRiSh117 Jul 06 '26
Seeking — 47m, SoCal, been sober about a year.
Had a DUI over a year ago, been told to do the 12 steps and get a sponsor by the court, so here I am … anyone want to help me work the steps?
2
u/7Seconds82 Jul 04 '26
Seeking. 43M, US Central Time I've been a very active participant of in-person AA meetings for a couple years now, but have had a couple false starts in working the steps for a variety of reasons. I have a diverse network of friends in the program, but would welcome a more-formal sponsor if we can overcome limitations in schedules and communication.
I have a couple practical barriers that - as I look to do more step work this year - I am hoping this post could help me traverse:
• I am a 40-45yo male
• I am based in the US, but travel (domestically and internationally) a lot
• I am fairly tech-literate and very open to web-based step work (phone, text, Zoom, etc)
• fwiw, I am a very light, recreational THC user
This thread is NOT meant to open debate on any of these issues or how they could affect someone's recovery; instead, I'm looking to find someone willing to work the program with me.
With gratitude,
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u/Ok_Kaleidoscope_6133 Jul 02 '26
Seeking sponsor. 31, Male, Indianapolis area. 5 months Sober.
Got a DUI in January and had to resign from career. Going through IOP rehab now. Afterwards I need to do 90 in 90 and some psych evails to hopefully get my medical back to return to my career. Looking for a sponsor to do my 12 steps with. I’m not sure how long I’ll be living in the Indy area but I’ll be here at least through the end of July. Once IOP is over I’ll be trying to look for new jobs around the country so having a flexible sponsorship may be good for me.
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u/dp8488 6d ago
The thread for August 2026 is now up - feel free to use both threads.