T.H., of Lothian, Maryland, writes, “Last night I twelve-stepped a young woman; I drove sixty miles to talk with her for fifteen minutes. She identified strongly with our first step; God and sobriety helped me convey the message simply and sincerely. The joys of recovery outweigh the necessary pain that accompanies it. I am beginning to laugh and dance again in my sweet relationship with my Lord.…

I have been practicing…(the) suggestion (in the big book) when my husband and I have a disagreement, of concentrating on my wrongdoing, my part in creating the disharmony. It works. It also leaves him free to discover I am a valuable person; I am shedding the destructive guilt of the past. God has been very good to me.…”

D.P., of Whitney Point, New York, says, “After about 35 years of lustful sexual addiction, I came into contact with SA. Much to my surprise, I was not alone. I carried my ‘bottle’ in my head, and with the help of the 12 Steps I have found a way to keep it bottled tonight. I have been saved by the grace of God from the worst effects — I still have my family and the love of my wonderful wife and a good job along with the respect of my neighbors, church-goers, and co-workers. And I have been granted the greatest gift of all — a group that listens to me and can speak from years of experience. I had arrived at the point of no return — either change or see everything go down the drain, and once again (God has graced me before, allowing me to arrive at this point) God’s grace moved in to open up the door to my salvation in SA. It has taken four months, but I have finally torn all the layers of hidden filth away, and now I can rebuild myself and my relationships anew. I do not (at this time) sense any further layers of self-deception (‘I’ll just keep this; this is harmless’) in my mind. Maybe I have more, but I will just keep on ‘one day at a time’ and see what God reveals to me.

I have been very fortunate in making contact with the group at Hankins, New York, even though it is a 75 mile trip each way. Many of the group have been sexually sober for 10-15 or more years, following the basic program laid out by AA. Most are cross-addicted, but a few are like myself, sexual only. My co-sponsors (2) are both of this background. It has been a miracle to encounter those who have been free for so long and to be able to join them for so long as God and I each do our part.

I know that I must reach out to other fellow sufferers if I am to remain sober. I am praying every day on this and am asking for guidance.…”