Getting Started
Stay sober from sex addiction one day at a time
Recovery from sex addiction is possible but most sexaholics find the idea of years of sexual sobriety difficult to comprehend, but anyone can stay sober just for one day, today.
Read the literature
Read these books, which explain SA’s 12-step programme of recovery:
- Sexaholics Anonymous (also called the “White Book”)
- Member Stories – 1989
- Recovery Continues
Go to meetings
Attend as many meetings as you can. Email or call us for details of meeting venues. Listen and learn. Share your own story. Members welcome newcomers. You’re not alone if you use the tools SA has to offer. Participate when possible and pick one or two meetings you can join regularly – have a “home” group. Focus on the solution to your problem. Meeting with other recovering sex addicts is essential to making progress in recovery.
SA meetings are for sexaholics only. Family members and friends can contact S-Anon.
Tips on staying sober
Avoid situations leading to “acting out” (masturbation, sex outside marriage, etc.). These include people, places or things, “triggers”, such as: all forms of pornography, cruising, prostitutes, even so-called “relationships” based solely on sex. As new AAs avoid pubs, so do SAs avoid porno shops and massage parlours like the plague.
Call another SA member every day. Attend meetings. Read a piece of literature every day. Work the Steps with your sponsor. Take the actions of recovery. Get involved with service work. Don’t think too much – our best thinking got us where we are today.
Recite the Serenity Prayer
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Get a sponsor
Seek out an SA member with more sobriety to be a guide. Women are encouraged to choose other women and men to choose men. Ask for a sponsor to come forward at a meeting. A good sponsor will be actively working the steps and will be available to answer questions and assist you in recovery by listening to you and sharing his/her experience, strength and hope. New members are encouraged to get a temporary sponsor for the first ninety days.
Use the telephone
Using the telephone helps us to stay sober between meetings by enabling us to stay close to the fellowship. Use it. Ask other recovering sex addicts for their numbers. Volunteer your own if you feel right about it.