It is possible. Probably kinda foolish though.

I only ask this because I am a true introvert. I have only a few close friends and I don't do well with opening up to other people. I doubt I could ever get the courage to share in front of others at a meeting. I am scared to death of talking in front of others. I know you will all tell me it will get easier after I go to a few meetings but I have 34 years worth of life to know how I feel when I have to speak in front of even a few people. And trying to get me to open up to a sponsor might be like trying to pull teeth. I know, another excuse, but it is a real concern for me.

Hey misterjones. I'm 34, a total introvert, and I've always had horrible social anxiety. I only had one close friend when I joined AA. Now I have many.

I don't think you get complete appreciation of the Big Book unless you have the experience of a sponsor...it really does come alive when you go through it together.

Have you thought about getting an online sponsor? It is possible to do it that way. I know some people who have that.

Well, that's something to be worked on.....do what you feel you can do. Go to meetings and just listen. Pray on it. Do you have a Big Book? Go to page 63 and read the third step prayer in the morning, afternoon and again at night for two weeks and see what happens.

What ya got to lose!

Ree

Anything is possible if I am willing

I'd say the answer is "yes", if you are honest with yourself. I think the idea of a sponsor, is that they keep you honest and they help you turn over stones in your life to see what is underneath. You should have someone out there as a sounding board......if you really do have a lot of trouble dealing with others, then you might even find someone on this forum to fill the role. It's not as good as face to face, but it may help. You also said you have some close friends?- Maybe they could help, provided they understand alcoholism.

Try it and let us know.

Just my opinion... Anything is possible if you can capture the miracle.

I could NOT do it on my own.

What cabledude said. And it's OK not to share if you're not ready to. I can usually talk through water but when I started with AA I simply couldn't get up initially. But having the help and support of a sponsor and have them explain the Big Book and other literature is the best way. You don't want to short change yourself with this program. Your life is on the line. And like others have said, you don't have to be a social butterfuly at the outset, or at anytime. Just be you, if you're a quiet person. We need you in AA!?! Just coincentrate on the main things you need to do. Get to meetings, listen to people share and start to think, could they be a sponsor.

When you go to ask someone to be your sponsor, cupla things. Remember you aren't marrying this person - the arrangement can last as long as both parties want it to. You can ask for a 30 day trial period where both parties see how it goes. That takes a lot of pressure off. But you do then need to ring the sponsor to really test it out. Tell them if you're nervous.