For most of his life, he lived in a prison built with shame, secrets, and addiction. Working the Steps with an accountability partner in prison and with the help of his sponsor by phone, he connected with God.

In her article, “The Butterfly, the Garden, and the Gardener”, this member shares how the butterfly of lust was always promising something beyond her grasp. Do you identify with lust promising something that it couldn’t deliver?

Our next edition’s theme is “The Positive Sobriety.” Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of taking the steps creates a desire to carry the message of recovery to others still suffering. This desire replaces the desire for gratification at the expense of others.

The SA ICC walks an intergroup through the process of hosting an international convention that opens a channel for spiritual growth unique only found in service.

Dear ESSAY,
This is a letter written by one of the intergroup representatives to our regional assembly on the occasion of the death of our delegate, Antonio S., in January 2026.

Most times, all that can be done is to take an action of love long before any positive feelings follow. Yet they do follow. It has also been said that closer union in God’s will brings the internal loving disposition to his will even before action is taken.

Connecting with a Higher Power by living in the solution, the 12 Steps, empowers her to serve other addicts, including those in the Service Structure.

Positive sobriety was not possible for him without positive steps and real connection with others.

Only God’s power can remove the blindness of self-centeredness and enlighten the eyes of service.

Focusing his attentions on others in service became more attractive than his self-interest.
Sobriety was not a possibility for me before starting the Program two and a half years ago

The Gardener of her soul prepared her to receive the garden of his presence, a Presence who is growing a new life that the butterfly of obsessive love could never give.

He stopped trying to obtain happiness his way and found it by living God’s way.

הניסיון שלה לימד אותה שרכילות בתוך התוכנית יכולה להיות צורה מזיקה של חשיפה

במקום לשתף הכל כדי להסיר זאת מליבו, הוא למד שאם הוא לא עבד את הצעדים על משהו, אז הוא לא משתף עליו

אחרי הדרכה מהספרות של התכנית ומהספונסרית שלה, היא הבינה שנמנעה מהטרגדיה שבחשיפה בטרם עת

This member reflects on all the different aspects of the Program that helped him to never fully disclose to his loved one.
After 41 years of sobriety in recovery, I have still never fully disclosed my SA story to my wife. Even now, I ask myself how that could be.

הכח של אלוהים החזיק אותה במהלך הסיוט של שמיעת חשיפה מלאה
הגעתי ל‑SA לראשונה בינואר 2022. מיד ידעתי שמצאתי אנשים שיוכלו לעזור לי למצוא פיכחות אמיתית

רגע בלתי צפוי של גילוי אהבה עזר לאשתו לצאת מייאוש בעקבות חשיפת השימושים שלו לכיוון תקווה והחלמה

لقد علمتها تجربتها أن النميمة داخل الزمالة يمكن أن تكون شكلاً ضارًا من أشكال المكاشفة
إن الحميمية الجنسية هي وسيلة للتعبير عن التزامي تجاه شريكي. ولهذا السبب كان الجرح عميقًا عندما أخبرني زوجي، أثناء زواجنا، أنه كان على علاقة غرامية

بدلاً من البوح بكل شيء لمجرد التخلص من عبئه، تعلم أنه إذا لم يطبق الخطوات على أمر ما، فإنه لا يفصح عنه