Readings for the SAA Mixed Voice Computer Meetings on Skype

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I can not change
Courage to change the things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference

Meeting Statement of Purpose

We understand recovery to be abstinence from all sexually addictive behaviors coupled with ongoing spiritual growth. With the support of the group, each sex addict develops his or her program around these principles:

We support each other in abstinence by helping each member:
1. Identify a list of all sexually addictive behaviors,
2. Establish boundaries that deter acting out and safe-guard abstinence, and
3. Maintain and refine these boundaries.

We support each other in spiritual growth by helping each member:
1. Do ongoing work on the 12 steps of SAA,
2. Stay in an active sponsorship relationship, and
3. Develop and carry out a daily recovery plan.

Abstinence is not a requirement for group membership. However we have learned that unless we hold it up as a goal, and hold each other accountable to work for it, the "cunning, baffling and powerful" nature of our addiction will lead us to believe it is not necessary to our recovery.

We have also learned that it is necessary to respect ourselves as sexual beings; therefore we take the time to identify what behaviors are sexually healthy for us.

Finally, our experience has taught us that by abstaining from all sexually addictive behaviors, and working for spiritual growth, new opportunities open to us for healing in our sexuality and in our whole lives.

Through working the spiritual program of the 12 Steps in this way, we find that we are being led by our Higher Power to freedom from sexual compulsion, a healthy sexuality and true serenity.

Our Problem

Many of us found that we were powerless and unable to control our sexual behaviors. Our sexual activities had taken over as the dominant part of our lives.

These compulsive activities were damaging our business, family and other intimate relationships and, above all, our spirituality. The only emotions we could feel were shame, despondency, anger or rage, and the exhilarating high that engulfed us as we engaged in our sexual activities.

For many reasons, we had reached a point of no return in our lives. As children, many of us had learned to withdraw from the chaos and craziness around us, to trust no one but ourselves, and to play great games of fantasies. Later, turning into compulsive sexual activities, we found that we were powerless to stop our insane behaviors. Our partners, whether known or anonymous, became sexual objects. The only difference among us was the scope of our acting-out, and how fast it progressed.

Thus, we became sex addicts. We were unable to live in reality. We could not engage in healthy intimate relationships. Our time was occupied with the worship of our sexual pursuits. We were spiritually dead, and many of us were in danger of losing our jobs, our families, our freedoms, or even our lives.

Through the often-painful intervention of a Higher Power, we have been brought to this point of our journey. We now know that we do have serious problems. We are proving our courage just by being in this room. We are determined to do anything it takes to recover from our problem. From those who have gone before us, we have learned what has to be done to overcome our illness.

We must attend and support SAA meetings, share with and listen to others, continue to work the Twelve Steps of SAA, gratefully serve the Fellowship, and reach out to the addict who still suffers. Then, each of us will know freedom, and we will find ourselves truly alive in the serenity and joy of a spiritual recovery.

Our Addiction can be found in the Green Book chapter one page three.