Bridge The Gap Committee
Part of Bridging the Gap between a treatment program and A.A. is the Temporary Contact Program, which is designed to help the alcoholic in an alcoholism treatment program make that transition.
A.A. experience suggests that attending meetings regularly is critical. In order to bridge the gap, A.A. members have volunteered to be temporary contacts and introduce newcomers to Alcoholics Anonymous.
It is suggested that the temporary contact take the newcomer to a variety of A.A. meetings; introduce him or her to other A.A.s; insure that he or she has the phone numbers of several A.A. members, and share the experience of sponsorship and a home group.
Temporary Contact Guidelines:
- Keep in mind that this is basic Twelfth Step work.
- Experience also suggests that men work with men and women work with women.
- The intent is to provide the newcomer with your help for a limited time. You need not have experience with treatment facilities. Your qualifications are experience as an alcoholic and recovery in A.A.
- Be familiar with the paper‚ "Information on Alcoholics Anonymous," particularly the section on what A.A. does and does not do.
- If possible, make contact with the newcomer while he or she is still in treatment. To avoid any misunderstandings, explain clearly that this is a temporary arrangement.
- Review the many different meeting formats, cover the difference between open and closed A.A. meetings and accompany the newcomer to a variety of meetings. Give the newcomer an A.A. meeting schedule.
- Introduce the newcomer to A.A. Conference- approved books (particularly the Big Book), pamphlets and the A.A. Grapevine.
- Explain group membership and the value of having a home group.
- Explain sponsorship to the newcomer, referring to the pamphlet, "Questions and Answers on
Sponsorship," and perhaps help the newcomer find a sponsor.
If you would like to help in this very important Twelfth Step work and have at least one year of continuous sobriety in the A.A. program, please contact the Bridge The Gap chair person by clicking on the link below. Please include your name, contact information and indicate your interest in treatment or/and correctional facilities.
For more information about Bridge The Gap, please refer to the Bridging The Gap pamphlet link (#49) provided on the Literature page.
BTG looks forward to working with you!
Amalie B.
District 2 Bridge The Gap Representative
Contact Amalie at btg@santafeaa.org.
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