Our Lives Before
We were sexually compulsive people. Despite our most heroic efforts and solemn promises, we were unable to turn away from behaviours and obsessions that were ruining our lives. We interpreted our lack of control as proof that we were bad or defective people, so we sought comfort by justifying our behaviours and sometimes revelling in them, or by denying our sexuality, and hiding in our shame. Our compulsions were at once our worst enemies and our most familiar sources of comfort.
Why We Came
We could no longer deny the pain that our compulsive sexual behaviours had caused in our lives. Many of us experienced such dramatic consequences as divorce, disease, jail, or financial ruin before seeing that our lives had become unmanageable. Others among us were confronted about our behaviour by family, friends, or counsellors, and were given a choice to seek help, or face yet more loss in our lives. When we learned of S.A.A., we began to hope again that our lives could be freed from our sexual compulsivity.
Our Recovery
We began to attend S.A.A. meetings. We heard stories similar to ours, and we heard how others in S.A.A. were abstaining from their compulsive behaviours. We learned of the twelve steps of recovery, and when we began to apply them in our lives, we discovered that we, too, could abstain from our compulsive behaviours, with the help of our fellow addicts. We acquired the faith and courage to make appropriate changes in our lives, and to accept our daily problems as stepping stones for spiritual growth. As we continue in our recovery from sexual addiction, one day at a time, we are developing healthier sexuality, a stronger sense of personal integrity, and an ability to truly enjoy our lives.
(Not SAA approved literature)