Sponsorships are an important part of the Alcoholics Anonymous recovery method. Sponsors are essentially people with personal experience in the AA method who can guide less experienced recovering alcoholics.

AA sponsors are not certified behavioral therapists and do not provide diagnostics, treatment, or medication. They provide ‌gentle guidance on the path to sobriety, offering a compassionate, more experienced perspective on the struggles recovering alcoholics face.

In this article, we’ll describe what AA sponsors are, who’s qualified to be a sponsor, and a few tips to be a better sponsor.

Tips To Be An Effective AA Sponsor

You have been chosen to be an AA sponsor as part of your journey to stay sober. These are some tips and advice to help you have a more successful experience as an AA sponsor.

1. Stay Sober

This is obvious, but one of the core responsibilities of an AA sponsor is to lead by example. How? By staying sober and faithful to the AA teachings. If you relapse while acting as a sponsor, you should let your sponsee(s) know and focus on recovering your sobriety before continuing to fulfill your sponsorship role. 

2. You’ve Been Sponsored 

You’ve worked the Steps in the past with your sponsor who has given you the expertise to help guide others by offering your experience, advice, and hope. Ideally, you can merge the teachings of your sponsor with your personal experience to help your new sponsee(s) through their journey to sobriety. 

3. Be Humble

Humility is understanding your strengths and weaknesses and being honest with your sponsee. You don’t have an inflated idea of yourself, but at the same time, you know how to provide your experience productively. As a sponsor, you should also encourage your sponsee(s) to humble themselves.

4. Be Compassionate

People recovering from alcoholism are at a vulnerable time in their lives when feelings of shame and uncertainty are common. As a sponsor, you should be compassionate with their struggle but also learn to be firm in certain areas.

It’s a moderate stance you’ll need to learn over time: not being so soft that you enable them, but also not being so firm that you come off as uncaring. Remember, you were once in their footsteps. 

5. Be A Good Listener

Be willing to listen to your sponsee actively. Be patient when they have trouble expressing their feelings. Learn to be comfortable when they don’t have the words to express their thoughts, validate their emotions, and ask compassionate, clarifying questions.

6. Know Your 12-Steps by Heart

Sobriety is a life-long search that doesn’t end. Your knowledge of the 12 steps must be solid, and you should be capable of applying what you know to stay sober long-term. This consistent experience will be invaluable to your sponsee(s).

7. Be Willing To Take Your Sponsee(s) Out Of Their Comfort Zone

Be willing to help your sponsee(s) acquire new knowledge by going slightly away from their comfort zone. It’ll help them gain new perspectives and explore new ways to stay sober. You can encourage them to attend different AA meetings or read new AA literature to gain a deeper understanding of their recovery process.

What’s An AA Sponsor?

According to AA’s “The Big Book,” an AA sponsor is a person with an alcohol use disorder who “has made some progress in the recovery program and shares that experience with another alcoholic attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through AA.”

Sponsors are essentially more experienced recovering alcoholics who share what they’ve learned with less experienced recovering alcoholics. Their importance lies in acting like role models, providing motivation and encouragement, and being a source of information for less experienced recovering alcoholics.

Who’s Qualified To Be An AA Sponsor?

There are a few requirements potential sponsors should fulfill before being eligible to help others heal:

• They’ve Been Sober For A Year. Preferably for more, but if they’ve been sober for at least 12 months, they are dedicated to recovering from alcoholism and improving their lives. Someone who has just become sober doesn’t have enough experience to guide someone in the same position.
• They’re The Same Gender As The Sponsee. This isn’t a requirement, but it’s encouraged. Since most people are heterosexual, being sponsored by someone of your same gender will minimize the possibility of any side developing romantic feelings or infatuations.
• They Have Less Than Two Or Three Sponsees. If someone is already sponsoring three or more recovering alcoholics, it’s probably better to look for another sponsor with more time to dedicate to their sponsee.

AA Sponsors Are Important For Recovery

A good, compassionate, humble sponsor can be an excellent guide for people just taking their first steps into sobriety. Their work is essential. That’s why they should be experienced and patient with recovering alcoholics. Their guidance and compassion can contribute to their health for the rest of their lives. If you’re considering becoming a sponsor soon, keep these tips in mind to help your sponsees succeed. 

Alcohol is the number one drug of choice among America’s youth–and it’s killing them. In small children, it’s a potent poison that can result in seizures, coma, and even death. In teenagers, it can impair cognitive development, prevent them from developing the necessary skills to succeed in today’s society, and also make them more inclined to engage in risky, dangerous behavior. Underage drinking is a serious public health issue that has become a nationwide concern. 

Underage Drinking Statistics

Children under the age of 18 who drink alcohol are putting their physical health, psychological health, social skills, emotional well-being–and ultimately their futures–at stake. The earlier they are introduced to alcohol, the greater the risks and consequences are likely to be down the line. 

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 39.7% of youths between 12 and 20 years old have had at least one drink in their lives; 20% of this group also reported drinking alcohol within the past month. 

To make matters worse is how young underage people drink. They are more prone to binge drinking behavior (this is how 90% of 12 to 20-year-olds consume alcohol) which amplifies the risks of dangerous consequences like alcohol poisoning, overdosing, and death. In an NIAAA survey that surveyed children on their drinking behavior:

• 4.2 million reported binge drinking in the past month
• 825,000 binge drank five or more times in the past month

Alcohol causes thousands of deaths in young people ages 21 and under each year. In 2019 there were:

• 1,092 from motor vehicle crashes
• 1,000 from homicides
• 208 from alcohol overdose, falls, burns, and drowning
• 596 from suicides

Alcohol Effects on Youths

414,000 children aged 12-17 had an alcohol use disorder. However, the adverse effects of alcohol on youths begin well before they get to the stage of developing an addiction. 

Impaired Brain Development

The brain isn’t fully developed until we reach the age of 25. Young children who consume alcohol earlier than this may experience neuro and cognitive development delays in the brain. This translates into impaired memory, problem-solving skills, and impulse control. Naturally, this will negatively affect academic performance and put them in a poor position for the future. 

An examination comparing the brain activity of drinking versus non-drinking children demonstrated how underage drinking puts youths at a clear disadvantage. The results showed that the brains of children who participated in heavy alcohol consumption were more activated and working harder, though their end performance was the same as their peers. Other studies have shown that underage drinkers have high rates of absenteeism and lower grades.

Mental Health Problems

People who drink alcohol face higher risks of developing mental health problems (someone with an AUD is 3.6 times more likely to develop a mood disorder than someone who isn’t).  The teenage years are a tumultuous and emotionally charged period on their own. Adding alcohol to the mix can exacerbate feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress, and quickly result in a feedback loop that leads to greater alcohol consumption, and so on.

Injury & Death

Accidental injury is the leading cause of death for children in America. Alcohol consumption amplifies this risk for young children by lowering inhibitions and impulse control, while also interfering with cognition and coordination. 

The situation is even stickier for teenagers, who naturally have a greater inclination for thrill-seeking at their age but don’t yet have a developed enough prefrontal cortex to properly weigh potential consequences.  

Unsafe Sex

Underage drinkers are more likely to be sexually active at a younger age and to engage in risky behavior such as unprotected sex. This can result in an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.  

Criminal Behavior

One of the most common causes of arrests of Americans under the age of 21 is ‘Minor In Possession’ However, that’s not the only reason why youths who drink are clashing with law enforcement. The lack of impulse control paired with thrill-seeking behavior means underage drinkers are more likely to engage in other illegal behaviors like driving under the influence. 

Lack of Social Skills

Many of the social skills children develop are related to their brain development as they age. Alcohol gets in the way of that and can inhibit a child’s ability to process situations and choose an optimal response. Additionally, alcohol can increase antisocial behavior such as aggression or isolation. 

Kids shouldn’t drink alcohol–not just because underage drinking is against the law (a misdemeanor that could result in jail time), but because youth alcohol consumption can have disastrous long-term consequences. If you have a young person in your life who you suspect is abusing alcohol, get help as soon as possible.

Sources:

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics

Addiction is a problem for societies around the world. It affects the lives of people who care about us. But, it’s a very complex problem in which genetic, social, familial, and other factors create an illness that is hard to overcome.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a non-professional American organization founded in 1935 dedicated to helping people overcome alcohol addiction through support groups.

AA’s teachings have a strong spiritual component that reflects the religious beliefs of its founders. In this article, we’ll explore how AA’s definition of addiction differs from other health organizations and why it can provide value to people trying to overcome their alcoholism.

The Traditional Definitions Of Addiction & Alcoholism

The National Health Service (NHS) defines addiction as “not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you.” This definition is most commonly associated with behaviors such as gambling, drugs, alcohol, and smoking.

However, people can be addicted to almost anything, including internet use, work, shopping, and more.

The NHS also defines alcohol misuse as drinking “in a harmful way, or when you’re dependent on alcohol.” To minimize the health risks of alcohol, the CDC recommends moderate alcohol consumption, which means 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women.

One drink, according to the CDC, means:

• 12 ounces of beer (5% ABV)
• 8 ounces of malt liquor (7% ABV)
• 5 ounces of wine (12% ABV)
• 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% ABV)

*ABV means alcohol by volume. 

Alcoholics Anonymous’ Definition Of Addiction

AA has a three-part definition of addiction. This doesn’t mean it’s “better” or “worse.” It’s a different perspective that may be useful for some people struggling with alcoholism.

AA (and similar groups such as Narcotics Anonymous) has a definition of addiction that involves the following elements:

• Physical
• Mental
• Spiritual

Let’s explore them.

Physical Allergy

The first part of AA’s definition refers to the physical experience of being addicted to alcohol (and other substances).

In general, people who abuse alcohol tend to have poor physical health, suffer from anxiousness, poor cognition, dizziness, a higher risk of high blood pressure and liver disease, and more.

AA defines these physical symptoms as an “allergy.” An allergy is a condition that makes people sick or causes skin or breathing issues due to eating or being near substances they have become hypersensitive to.

This classification may, however, not be correct. Alcohol allergy or intolerance is a rare condition that causes adverse reactions after drinking alcohol, like a stuffy nose and skin flushing. It’s caused by the body’s inability to process alcohol. Alcoholics typically don’t suffer from alcohol intolerance.

While it may be helpful for some people to think of alcohol as something they must avoid, like a substance that makes them allergic, it’s important to recognize that alcoholism is not the same as having an alcohol allergy. 

This idea was proposed in the 1930s, almost 100 years ago. 

We know much more about allergies today and can confirm that classifying alcohol addiction as an allergy is incorrect.

Mental Obsession

The second part of AA’s definition is the mental fixation with consuming alcohol. 

This “mental obsession” refers to the addict’s inability to see their substance of abuse as something harmful to avoid, but rather something good that makes them feel alleviated. They ignore or refuse to recognize that this comfort comes at the cost of their overall health.

“The Big Book” of AA describes the person struggling with alcoholism “at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink.” They cannot stop themselves, and all logical reasons why drinking is not a good idea are ignored.

In this sense, AA and modern medicine are an alignment. Scientific associations, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA), both recognize addiction as a “brain disease.” 

Also, the DSM-V classifies addiction as a mental health condition called substance use disorder.

Spiritual Malady

This is the part of the definition where AA’s religious and spiritual background shows the most. According to AA beliefs, addiction is, at its core, a spiritual disorder, disease, or ailment. 

The spirit is often understood as the characteristics of a person separate from the body, which is the seat of our emotions and overall character. In this sense, AA’s definition of addiction may be considered an illness of the soul, which spreads through all other aspects of our lives.

AA’s strong emphasis on spirituality may be problematic for some people, and it’s one of the reasons many may have trouble following the 12 Steps. 

But for people who have spiritual beliefs or are willing to engage with that side of themselves, it can be powerful to know that AA’s methods connect closely with their values.

Finding Help Beyond Definitions

Whatever your definition of addiction is, it must recognize that it is a challenge that needs to be overcome. The method you use to overcome it should take into account the multiple factors that come to play in addiction and help address them to achieve long-term sobriety.

If you or someone you know is dealing with alcohol addiction, consider talking to a professional about it. Alcoholism is a progressive disease that can cause many disturbances in your private and professional life and can also be fatal when not treated. Consider speaking to an addiction specialist to discuss treatment options. 

There are a lot of different ways to classify drugs, such as their chemical structure or how they’re used (i.e. crushed and snorted, swallowed, or injected as a liquid). One of the most common classifications is based on the way the drug affects the body, whether it speeds your body up or slows it down. Drugs that perk you up are known stimulants or “uppers”; those that slow you down are depressants and aptly nicknamed “downers”. 

Most drugs fall neatly into one category or the other. Alcohol, however, is a special case. It has the qualities of both stimulants and depressants which makes it difficult to classify, and an unpredictable drug in guessing how it might affect someone. 

Where does alcohol, the world’s most widely used psychoactive drug, fall in these groupings?  We dive in to answer once and for all if alcohol is a depressant or stimulant. 

How Depressants vs. Stimulants Affect the Body

To accurately assign alcohol with the label of ‘depressant’ or ‘stimulant’, you’ll first need a better idea of what these two classifications mean. Both affect the central nervous system (CNS), but do so in opposite ways. By speeding up or slowing down the way the spinal cord communicates with the brain, related organs or brain functions that are controlled by the CNS will be similarly affected. It is this chain of events that results in the most widely-known symptoms of both uppers and downers. 

What are depressants?

Depressants slow down the responsiveness of the spinal cord and brain function. They do so by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid. GABA is a neurochemical that specifically reduces central nervous system transmissions. Short-term symptoms of a depressant include:

• Confusion
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Drowsiness
• Feelings of calmness or relaxation
• Low blood pressure
• Loss of coordination
• Slowed heart rate and breathing

Types of depressants include opioids like heroin and fentanyl, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines (also known as ‘benzos’ and include the like of common anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin).

What are stimulants?

Stimulants also affect the central nervous system, but do so in a completely opposite manner. They speed up the messages sent between the spinal cord and the brain, causing the organs to work overtime and the brain to become overstimulated. Stimulants affect different neurotransmitters than depressants do. Instead of GABA, stimulants increase levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline).

Dopamine is a part of the brain’s reward system and plays an important role in regulating feelings of pleasure (this is the neurochemical largely responsible for eliciting the euphoric “highs” that some drugs cause). However, dopamine also is a key player in controlling cognition, impulse control, coordination, and motivation.

Serotonin is in charge of mood regulation and is nicknamed, ‘the feel good’ hormone. The majority of the body’s serotonin is actually in your GI tract where it plays a big role in gut health and digestion. When serotonin levels are too high it causes nausea and vomiting. 

Norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline, is a part of the body’s fight-or-flight response. When activated, it increases blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar, while overall increasing stress on the body’s organs. But those are just the physiological side effects of norepinephrine, there are also key behavioral effects that occur as well. The primary one is increased aggression, unsurprising given the fight-or-flight’s role as an evolutionary defense tactic. Other disruptive behaviors include wandering, hostility, and uncooperativeness. 

Together, the combined effect of increased levels of these neurotransmitters can cause:

• Alertness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Euphoria or sense of well-being
• Higher libidido
• Increased energy
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Increased aggression
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting

Is Alcohol a Depressant or a Stimulant? 

It’s clear that several of alcohol’s key side effects have similarities to those in both the stimulant and stimulant categories. However, alcohol is technically categorized as a depressant. Here’s why:

The stimulating effects of alcohol occur first after consuming alcohol (increased blood pressure and heart rate, feelings of well-being, and increased energy). However, once a person’s BAC is over 0.08, the depressant effects such as a loss of coordination as well as other cognitive functions, and sleepiness, take place. The energizing effects you experience during the first stages of intoxication are temporary and the sedative effects are much longer lasting. 

Although alcohol is legal to buy, it’s still a powerful drug that can cause significant long-term damage to one’s physical and mental health. It’s also one of the most addictive substances on the planet. If you have a loved one with a drinking problem, find an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting near you, today.