Addiction Recovery Program - Sponsorship?

[FlyfishermanMike]

Why is it that the LDS Addiction Recovery Program doesn't allow sponsorship through the program? I've been told I can't ask someone at meetings to be my sponsor. It's hard enough trying to find a member who will be a sponsor in NA or AA. Is it a liability thing? The last two sponsors I've had have ended up being very anti and trying to convince me to be the same. It's hard enough being an addict in the church without the daily support of an LDS sponsor.

^^ike

[BenRaines]

That would probably be a good question to ask the person who is conducting your LDS addiction recovery meetings.

I have no idea.

Ben Raines

[Guest JHM-in-Bountiful]

I attended the addiction recovery program. Unfortunatly I'm unable to answer your question. I never once thought about having a sponsor. The other members did not have any in the program either. I agree with Ben , ask your addiction recovery program leader.

John

[checkerboy]

Mike, I used to be a facilitator and we had been discussing implementing a sponsorship program. That was up here in Idaho though. I am not sure why they haven't started it up. I think it would be an excellent idea. We always encouraged people to exchange phone numbers if they chose to. Never anything officially sanctioned though. Keep asking and maybe someone will see the importance.

[FlyfishermanMike]

I've done some more digging around and may have an answer. It is a liability thing. The church can't be responsible for sponsors telling their sponsees what to do. If a sponsor told his sponsee to do something inappropriate it could legally come back to the church. NA doesn't have that problem because they are unaffiliated. They have let the church use the principles of their program and let the church change it to fit better with the church's principles. It still seems a little gray to me so hopefully they can make some changes. I guess I could drag someone to an NA meeting and ask them to be my sponsor there. That would be a way around it. I highly value having a sponsor. Someone who knows where I am, understands my problems, backs me up but keeps me in check and calls me on my garbage. Even here in Utah it's been a challenge to find an LDS sponsor and I go to many meetings. NA has a lot to offer me but the ARP meeting complete and tie my program together. I hope to become a facilitator someday and then a missionary. I came home early from my mission so I want another chance. Thanks.

^^ike

[Guest tomk]

I don't know the answer to your question.

-however-

There is a LDS- Christ- centric 12-step program available, where you can have a sponsor.

This program is not sponsored by the LDS Church, but I've been a member of it for about 4 or 5 years now, and I can vouch for it.

Here is a link to the website: Welcome to Heart t' Heart

and to the online forums: Heart t' Heart :: Index

[johnsteve]

Addiction recovery program is helps to so many people.This program is saved so many life.If any know about that treatment then visit here.

==================================

john

Drug Rehab

[krisjoy]

Hmmm...I have been going to 12 step meetings for over 25 years and there isn't a ARP closeby in my area. I have the manual and when I travel I look for one. I have been to half a dozen or so. No one ever mentioned that we could not sponsor each other in the meeting and sponsorship is vital to recovery. Accountability and receiving the love and acceptance of who you are right where you are is what gives us the willingness and trust to move forward. I have been looking for an lds sponsor. Is it written somewhere not to ask for one?

[FlyfishermanMike]

I haven't seen it written anywhere. I've heard it from multiple people including the missionaries over the meeting I go to. I've heard it a liability thing. The church can't have people telling other people what to do in a church sponsored program. Like if a sponsor told their sponsee to illegal or what not the church could be held liable. At least that's what I've heard. Even here in Utah it's been really hard to find a sponsor at regular NA meetings. The last two sponsors I've had have ultimately been anti enough that it bleed into my recovery enough that it became a problem. They wouldn't stop their hurtful remarks and were dropped as sponsors.

^^ike

[krisjoy]

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

I would love an LDS Sponsor. God has graced me with 25 years of back to back abstinence and staying active. I am so grateful for gospel principles and for the 12 step program where I worked through my inability to live them. What matters most is the direction we are facing. It is not a race. Slow growth is good growth. I needed to hear that. I get frustrated when I slip back into habits I am working on changing.

Good for you that you dropped them! I used my journal and Heavenly Father as my sponsor for a while. In Brother Bednar's talk "Pray Always" he explains the process. They are Step 1, 2, 3 and 10 and 11. It really works if you work it.

Good to hear from you.

Kris

[chiccam]

My local ARP meetings allows sponsors. It may be up to the individual meeting leader. He actually made the suggestion that everyone in the group should have one. Not to mention you should be able to call your Director at anytime for help.

Flyfisher-My sponsor actually just left her NA because she couldn't mention God.

It may be just a Utah thing seriously (lived there 24 years). The thing about the church being liable is a crock. You need someone who has been where you are to help you through. Of course the Lord is best but when your're on the verge on going back to your addiction, he's not what you're thinking about.

I'm interested to know how it goes. My director started the program in this state and kind of does things his way.

[krisjoy]

Thanks for the feedback. I will continue looking.

[Anniefoster1]

hi everybody I hope you're having a good day. I didn't know there was a website for this addiction recovery program. I have started to attend these meetings I had gone before but I thought it was too much church in it. I still have some uncertainties about it. I have been in recovery in a 12 step program and I will be celebrating in November 23 years clean, I am a recovering Mormon. I have worked in drug treatment, detox, CWC which stands for community workcenter for women inmates in a halfway house for drug treatment. I I loved doing the work and watching these people get clean.

[pam]

I am a recovering Mormon

???????

[MrsAri]

I've been a member of CoDa (Codependents Anonymous) since '92. I facilitated monthly CoDa meetings at a Quaker church near my home. I rented a room from the church and never had any problems. However, problems arose when I rented a room at the public library in order to have a straight only 12 step meeting. Certain gay members of CoDa conducted a "sit in" at my meeting. Although they were allowed to conduct gay only meetings, I was disallowed to facilitate a straight only meeting.

It seems odd to me that there would be a conflict regarding sponsorship at the LDS Church and not at the Quaker church. Especially considering that a very vital step of the 12 step program is turning over one's life to a higher power of one's choice.

[beefche]

I am a recovering Mormon

Ahh, no more green jello, fry sauce, you arrive on time everywhere, got your horns removed (ya know...Mormons have horns), and most importantly, you drink caffeinated Dr. Pepper!

[windery]

I don't know how recent this is but I didn't find some great guidelines for finding a sponsor on the Church's site:

Finding or Giving Support in Recovery