The anonymous programs are spiritual programs of recovery from addictions. The person who is sponsoring another addicted person should be a recovering addict themselves, who is continually practicing the Steps of the Programs to stay free from their own addiction. An addict is beyond hia or her own ability to stay free from their addiction. They have found that no human power could keep them free either. They had to ask their Higher Power, who many call God, to help them. To their surprise, He does help them to do it successfully. He did two things spiritually. He inspired the pioneers to write the book Alcoholics Anonymous, which introduced the Twelve Steps of recovery and, included in the Twelfth Step, the responsibility oc carrying the message of recovery to those still suffering. That was the establishment of sponsorship a requirement for staying recovered. sponsorship