Sponsorship is an important part of the CoDA program. It is the newcomer's responsibility to select a sponsor. Same-sex sponsors are recommended. A sponsor is there to hear your beginning story when you are new to the program.

The sponsor's principal function is to help the sponsorees work the Steps. The sponsorship relationship is as unique as the individuals in it. It provides for the sponsoree's need for guidance, safety, and trust. This relationship is a good place to learn about personal boundries since each sponsoree will experience the boundry setting behavior of their sponsors.

Much sharing is done with a sponsor. A healthy sponsoring relationship affirms and supports their sponsoree. A sponsor is there to hear your recovery story as it develops. When you are ready, he or she is there to hear your Fifth Step. This is where the healing part of the program begins.