The A Team concept is an idea we have put to use a few times to help some fellow suffering sexaholics. Until now each case has involved someone struggling to get started with sobriety, but it could conceivably be used for other purposes, such as a crisis in someone’s life. It is really a simple application of Step Twelve in which we join forces with others to help the sexaholic who still suffers.

A group of three to six SA members come together for an hour-and-a-half in a quiet place in order to help another who has asked for special help. The member in need of assistance is given up to 30 minutes to state his full case — what is troubling him, how it started, what he thinks is causing it, how it is affecting him, and what he wants to change. Then for up to an hour, the others discuss the situation informally. They may ask for information or lead the member to think. They may make observations about patterns they see or principles they think apply. They may suggest plans of action, including follow-up suggestions. Possible solutions or other insights are tossed into the forum. Much encouragement and affirmation is given to the troubled member. The greatest power in this seems to come from the fact that the addict realizes that someone cares for him, without thought of gain.

There is no “official” A Team. Any member that cares to call his friends together needs no one’s permission to do so. There is no elite group “qualified” to be members of an A Team. The team is a one-shot enterprise, not an ongoing organization. A sponsor may ask someone he is sponsoring if they need the help of such a group. The essentials are simple. Someone must want help and ask for it. Those asked must have begun their spiritual awakening and be willing to share it in the spirit of Step Twelve.