Summary of the Addictive Process: The SA Promises

When we look at the addictive process, we see that what we call the spiritual factors lie beneath the psychological and behavioral. This underlying soul sickness now apparently to us only in recovery is the root of our problem. We are forced to certain conclusions:

1. Sexaholism is an addiction, and we sexaholics have the same basic characteristics as any other addicts, and perhaps some unique one of our own.

2. The nature of what we have been doing to ourselves is truly shattering.

3. Our addiction is an inside job; we are responsible for the attitudes that set its course and propel our thinking and behaviour.

4. Since we had something to do with becoming what we are, we can assume responsibility for the change in attitude--surrender--that will allow healing to begin.

We can become willing to see and surrender what we know we’re doing wrong. The Fellowship and the Program of the Steps take if from there.

Every time we “go back out there”--our way of saying we have resorted to our addiction once again--we set in motion these same self-destructive processes. We start another countdown that leads to an end that progressively worsens. There’s no way we can avoid restarting the self-destruct mechanism, and no knowing when we will reach the point of no return.

If all this leaves you with a feeling of despair, that very despair may indicate you are willing to face the truth about yourself for the first time. It was to such despair that we had to come before we could be released. Left to our own devices, the prognosis is dismal. Only for those who want recovery is there any hope at tll, and to such we offer great hope: 

• Release from the power of addiction

• Loss of guilt and shame

• Power over wrong and freedom to do right, and

• The ability to live comfortably with ourselves, others, and God.

This is precisely what the Fellowship of the Steps will do when we make it a way of life.

From The Spiritual Basis of Addiction, Sexaholics Anonymous p. 56-57