[reactor4]

Hi, my name is reactor and I'm an addict.

I can concur, I'm going on two months of sobriety from alcohol and stimulants tomorrow morning, only on using the 1st three steps and my employer's EAP. For now, the 1st three steps are enough to get me going plus an intense fear of where I was headed for (jails or institutions or death). I know I will have to ask for help to complete the 4th step but I still don't talk a lot at the meetings beside presenting myself when I'm asked so this will come when I'm ready or meet a suitable sponsor I guess. Maybe I will ask publicly if someone is looking for a "protégé" - is that the right word? - and would be interested to help me when I go get my 2 months' key ring on Saturday evening. I think it would avoid the awkwardness of asking to many people. Anyway, what Cliff is saying is exactly right as far as I can tell so far..

* I'm also reading Russell Brand's book on the 12 steps, it's called "Freedom from Our Addictions". It's a very good "update" for newer generations about what the 12 steps are and why you should follow them if you need to.

[ilovetux]

Thanks for sharing, I would advise you to hang around after the meetings and just get to know people after that you should ask if any commitments are available and take any that pop up. Finding a sponsor is a personal journey, and you should concentrate on finding someone who you can relate to and who you can look up to; remember it's a two-way street.

Do not rush into anything, this is a journey and the first steps are enough until they're not and when that happens you will know it and hopefully you will have become familiar enough with the regulars that the choice of sponsor will become obvious.

[thrownaway954]

My personal experience.

When I did my 5th step, I did it with my therapist. At that time, I wasn't ready for anyone (even my sponsor) to know my history. I had such a fear of doing my 5th step with my anyone who could gossip, that it really prevented me from doing a thorough 4th step. My therapist couldn't because of doctor/patient privilege and that eased my mind and with that I did a thorough 4th step.

The 5th step states "we admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs", it leaves it open and up to us as to exactly who that other human being can be.