About the Sexaholics Anonymous 12-Step Recovery Program

‘Sexual addiction encompasses everything from heavy pornography consumption to promiscuity…”

Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) is a 12-Step recovery peer support program based on the same model as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) but with sexual addiction in mind. Sex addiction encompasses everything from heavy pornography consumption to promiscuity. The focus of Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) is on restoring members to a state of psychological wellness so they can avoid the all-consuming compulsions associated with sexual addiction.

The 12 Steps of SA

Sexaholics Anonymous is not directly affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA); however, it does draw its basic format from the AA publication Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. These can be found in the Big Book of AA.

The 12 Steps of Sexaholics Anonymous are identical to those of Alcoholics Anonymous, but SA applies each of these steps to the specific condition of sexual addiction instead of alcohol addiction.

Step 1. Admit complete powerlessness over lust.

Step 2. Believe that a higher power can restore you to a state of psychological normalcy and wellness.

Step 3. Turn over your will and life to a higher power as you understand it.
(The higher power does not need to represent anything more than an individual’s personal conception of God, regardless of their religion.)

Step 4. Take a moral inventory of your life.

Step 5. Confess wrongdoings to God, oneself, and others.

Step 6. Be completely willing for God to remove the character defect of lust and sexual addiction.

Step 7. Ask God to remove your shortcomings.

Step 8. Write down a list of all the people whom the individual’s sexual addiction has harmed and prepare to willingly make reparations.

Step 9. Make amends to those you harmed as a result of your sexual addiction.
(This step is one of the most difficult in the entire program, as it requires individuals to make amends to those whom they harmed by their sexual addiction. The exception to this rule is if such amends would cause more harm to these people.)

Step 10. Continue to take inventory of personal wrongs.

Step 11. Continue seeking guidance on overcoming your lust through prayer and meditation.

Step 12. Reach out and help others overcome their own sexual addictions.
This last step typically takes the form of becoming a sponsor for a new member of Sexaholics Anonymous. SAs is well known for its inclusive meetings and its mentorship program in which members who were sexually sober for a period of one year or longer help new members in their quests for sexual wellness.

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What Is Sexual Addiction?

Sexaholics Anonymous as an organization defines sexual addiction as a relationship with sexual activity that leaves the individual in a state of guilt and dissatisfaction with life.

Most individuals with sexual addictions are disconnected from their daily lives, families and peers as a direct result of their addiction. For example:

• They are often unable to have normally functioning relationships with their sexual partners due to the addiction.
• They tend to express an overall dissatisfaction with their lives.

If you feel that you or someone you know is struggling with sexual addiction, it is often difficult to overcome the stigma and fear that keep many from reaching out for help. Maybe you are afraid of judgment from family or peers, but sexual addiction is something you don’t have to deal with alone.

Accountability & Getting Help

Sexual addiction is still a taboo subject in society, and many people feel a sense of shame about admitting their addiction and seeking help.

Peer support networks or support groups, such as Sexaholics Anonymous, come with the important benefit of accountability. Meetings provide a safe forum for discussion in a judgment-free zone that many individuals find essential in overcoming addiction.

Many people find it too difficult to make strides in overcoming their sexual addiction alone, without support groups or sexual addiction counseling. Sexual addiction is still a taboo subject in society, and many people feel a sense of shame about admitting their addiction and seeking help.

American Addiction Centers maintains a strong partnership with a large group of insurance companies at our addiction treatment facilities. Start the journey to recovery and fill out the form below to find out instantly if your insurance provider may be able to cover all or part of the cost of rehab and associated therapies. You can also check your insurance coverage online now, contact AAC for free at .

Other 12-Step Support Groups

Other 12-Step support groups include:

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