[Lizzie B]

I'm only going to DRA right now. But, I would like to have a sponser to help me through the steps, traditions etc.

[missbelle]

Not sure what DRA is but in the AA rooms and AL-anon you would pick a sponsor who seems the most informed, someone who reaches out to new people and follows the steps. You can always ask around to see if they can recommend someone to you. Its always better to have someone of the same sex as you as well. If its not a good fit, and sometimes it may not be, you can always get another sponsor. Nothing is set in stone. What's important is your recovery!!

[Lizzie B]

DRA= Dual Recovery Anonymous, There aren't too many of them around. They are for addicts that also have a mental illness. Thanks, for the tips on selecting a sponsor. I wanted to have one this time to hopefully increase my chances of staying clean.

Based on my observations at AA meetings, most of the members began using in an attempt to deal to some mental issue that was not being treated effectively (clinically). Otherwise, why would anyone knowingly pollute their body with all those toxins, except to find relief from whatever is eating away at them? I think there are certainly cases of being predisposed to alcoholism/drug abuse but those of us who do not have a family history of abuse most likely are compensating for some "deficit", whether it be a chemical abnormality or what have you. So AA-or NA, NRA, ERA- is a perfect place to start. Once you can wean yourself from your addictions, then you can at least take another, better look at yourself and decide, with your doc and/or therapist, what course of meds and/or cognitive therapy is best for you. It is impossible to know what's really at the heart of your problem/s until that fog of abuse has been lifted.

My advice is to go to meetings, take your time with getting a sponsor, just listen to people initially. Then find someone you can really relate to. This doesn't mean they have to be the same age or have abused the same drug. And like the others said, you may end up trying more than one person, there are no rules governing sponsor/sponsee relationships. What has been most important (to me anyway) is watching the people who obviously have evolved the most from their days as addicts, watching how they've learned from their mistakes and the steps they took to ensure that they stayed away from a drink or a line. Good luck.

[madisgram]

this may help you too. the booklet asks the question. "how to choose a sponsor". in pdf form go to page 4 of the approved literature booklet. http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-15_Q&AonSpon.pdf
hope this helps.

[Lizzie B]

gulas, and madisgram thank you so much for your informative responses. I really appreciate it.