Temporary Contact

From AA Pamphlet P-49 Bridging the Gap

 

 

“As you know, one of the more “slippery” places in the journey to sobriety is between the door of the (treatment) facility and the nearest A.A. group or meeting… 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.”

 

·         Please see the second page of this TC form to read service position description.

  • Please complete the following information to volunteer for this form of 12-Step work

with in the Mid-Southern California Area – Treatment Facilities Committee:

www.msca09aa.org

 

 

Name and Date:               

 

Address:                       

 


City and District:                                           

 

State and Zip Code:                                                                        

 

 

Phone Day and Evening:                                                                                                                                                         

 

Email:                                                                                                                                   

 


Sobriety Date:                                                                                                                        

 

 

 

 


Please Forward Application To: 

                       

      Treatment Facilities Committee E-Mail:      tf@msca09aa.org

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary Contact Description:  Below is information about what a Temporary Contact is, what they do, and what they do not do as described by in the AATF Guidelines:

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TEMPORARY CONTACTS AND SPONSORSHIP

Source: TF Guidelines (mg14)     http://www.aa.org/en_pdfs/mg-14_treatfacilcomm.pdf

 

 

 

Experience shows that even though a patient may have been participating in a group or meeting in a treatment facility, there is anxiety about the transition to a regular group on the outside. With the reminder that A.A. has only sobriety to offer, many committees do try to provide some additional personal contact so this transition period can be made easier. In many places, this is referred to as “bridging the gap” between treatment and a home group. The pamphlet “Bridging the Gap” is available from G.S.O.

 

 

 

1.   A growing number of areas have established temporary contact programs. Contact G.S.O. for details.

 

 2.   Where there is a local Intergroup, newly released patients may be put in contact with an A.A. member who may act as a temporary sponsor or contact.

 

 3.   In some areas, patients are allowed to attend outside meetings and this makes “bridging the gap” easier.

 

 4.      The contact chairperson or meeting sponsor meets the patient when he or she is discharged from the facility. Since sponsorship is personal, many areas have found it helpful to have patients select their own sponsors once contact with the outside has been made. 

 

 

 

 The initial contacts do not necessarily continue as sponsors, but do serve as a vital link between the facility and the outside A.A. group. 

 

 

When G.S.O. receives a request for A.A. contacts from a treatment facility professional, a friendly letter of explanation about anonymity is sent with a list of Central Offices, Intergroups and answering services enclosed.