Recovery was possible for most of us only when we accepted the fact that we were powerless over our addictive sexual behavior and that we were incapable of changing without help from outside ourselves. Many of us came to this realization when we started attending SAA meetings. In that setting we heard stories similar to ours and realized that recovery from our malady was possible. We learned through the SAA Fellowship that we were not hopelessly defective.
We discovered that, when we began applying the Twelve Steps conscientiously in our lives, we could abstain both from obsessive mental preoccupation with sex and compulsive sexual behavior. We found faith and courage to change our way of thinking and acting. We began accepting daily problems as stepping stones to spiritual growth. As we continued working the Twelve Step Program, we experienced the return of personal integrity and found a new sense of purpose in our lives. We discovered the joy of freedom from addiction.
Attending SAA meetings starts us on a new way of life. But while the SAA fellowship supports our recovery, the actual work of recovery is described in the Twelve Steps.
Learn more »Our goal when entering the SAA program is abstinence from one or more specific sexual behaviors. But unlike programs for recovering alcoholics or drug addicts, Sex Addicts Anonymous does not have a universal definition of abstinence. To help us define our sexual sobriety, many of us use a tool developed within SAA called The Three Circles.
Learn more »Just as the Steps teach us the spiritual principles necessary for healthy individual recovery, the Traditions embody the spiritual principles necessary for the healthy functioning of our groups.
Learn more »Working the Twelve Steps leads to a spiritual transformation that results in sustainable relief from our addiction.
(The promises are from Alcoholics Anonymous step 9, and not strictly included in the SAA program of recovery.)
Learn more »