Sponsorship is a feature which is quintessential in addiction recovery. Some people who have achieved a sober and clean state after addiction, have achieved this with the influence of a sponsor. It has proven to be an effective tool in addiction recovery. Those who are in the stage of early recovery, getting a sponsor for addiction recovery is most times a theme of conversation. They are usually advised by other recovering addicts that they should get themselves a sponsor, and commence working together in the shortest possible time.

In addiction recovery, the addict needs a sponsor who knows a lot about sobriety, the 12 steps and has the capacity to be responsible to the person instead of being responsible for the person. A sponsor plays the role of a close friend alongside being a mentor and a guide.

In other cases, a sponsor is a person in recovery who has already gone through the 12-steps which are mentioned in the 12-step programme.

The basic role of a sponsor, is to aid their sponsee go through the 12-steps of any treatment schedule or plan they are working with. It could be a good ride for both sponsee and sponsor. The sponsee is a person who is very sober, alongside being honest and susceptible just like any other person.

A sponsor can also be a good source of providing addiction recovery information, which would contain their personal experiences, ups and down. They are also in the capacity to give great and beneficial tips on how to live a life which is free from alcohol or drugs.

In addition to this, a sponsor gives encouragement and motivation to a fresh sober person, thereby being a source of support and a listening ear.

Another benefit of having a sponsor, is being a source of accountability to the addict.

Now, there should be a clear disparity between what a sponsor is expected to do in the addiction recovery process, and what he is not meant to do.

Below are some things which the sponsor should not do:

1. A sponsor is expected not to act as a psychologist or therapist
2. A sponsor is expected not to take advantage of a sponsee

If any of the above points occur, it is expected that the relationship is dismissed immediately.

Sustainability is officially a “buzz word,” but a very important one. The term sustainability as it is presently used originated with the “go-green” movement, which encouraged people to alter their lifestyles in order to help the planet’s health. Sustainability was used largely to describe the harvesting of energy sources of all varieties in a way that would renew the energy source at the same rate it depleted it. The use of this term broadened exponentially, however, and came to refer to any practice in life that gives resources back in equal measures as it takes them. In that sense, we can examine the fundamentals of life through the lens of sustainability to discover what the most essential things to human existence are.

• Spirituality. Many people confuse spirituality and religion. The term spirituality essentially refers to where we draw the meaning of our lives from. This may be from a higher power, from a range of energies or from humanity itself, but it is considered by mental health experts to be one of the essentials for wholeness within a person.
• Relationships. As social beings, relationships are an obvious necessity. Some people need an abundance of relationships while others only need a few, but companionship in some form or another is considered a necessary part of good mental health.
• Health. Medical and mental health are key components of a satisfying existence. They are obvious methods of achieving a high quality of life. Good mental health dictates your moods and decision making, and good medical health gives a person access to a great deal more of what life has to offer. Teaching yourself how to maintain healthy sobriety and balance is very important to your well-being.
• Purpose. Purpose can be thought of as a meaningful calling or simply as the thing that keeps a person occupied. Either way, having the drive to accomplish necessary tasks is a crucial part of being a balanced human being.

These four elements have been qualified by mental and behavioral health experts to be the most important elements of human existence. One could say that the most sustainable way of living is by incorporating these things in equal parts into your life. They may seem ambiguous in list form, but when each area is broken down and identified with, these four elements make for the most sustainable model of an individual’s life.

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