M.G., of Larned, KS, reports: “First off, we are a new SA group. At present we have two members and one social worker (sits in but does not talk—he’s learning).

Saturday April 26th was a day to be remembered in New York City SA. The following is a report from John H.:

Happy New Year!
And what a year we have to look back on and forward to!

S.J., of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, writes, “I enjoyed everyone being here for the Retreat. It was a real spiritual high for me. Thanks for coming.”

The number of S-Anon inquiries to the SA Central Office has been steadily increasing, along with the SA inquiries. Usually, wives of sexaholics call or write in asking for help. From the beginning of SA, we have been referring them to the closest group or individual with whom they can talk or meet.

Are you including Traditions Meetings in your local meeting schedules? We’re finding increasingly a need to study the Twelve Traditions as part of our group process of recovery. Some groups will alternate once a month in the Step Study meeting by holding one meeting a month on the Traditions, reading from the Twelve and Twelve one Tradition and then sharing it (see enclosed paper regarding meetings).

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.…

R.K., of Simi Valley, California, writes, “…Speaking for myself, I see that the great key to my serenity and recovery and sobriety is anchored in the realization of my powerlessness over my lust. This powerlessness — just as true today as it was nine years and ten months ago — is what energizes my surrender of my lust and other defects to the only One who has the Remedy.

J.M., in Salina, Kansas, says, “I’m still working on my sexual sobriety. The meeting in Salina folded due to some people playing with the program. I hope to get some real interested people and start again. Thank you from my heart.”

R.L., of Rochester, New York, writes, “I drive 40 miles on Sunday afternoon to a small SA meeting in Clifton Springs. I was there today and was given the copy of ESSAY by another member who said there was an article about hate in it from R.S., of Marina del Rey, California. Thank God there is someone who was able to put into words how I feel. Hate has totally consumed my life ever since I can remember.

J.A., of Baltimore, Maryland, writes, “…So often I think I am the doctor writing the prescription and that God is merely a pharmacist — my pharmacist. Only the other day I prescribed my cure and sent it in to be filled. The result was a disaster. So today I pray that God’s will be done and that I be given what I need, not what I want or think that I need. But there are times when I can ask that a character defect be removed.…”

S.S. of Somerville, Massachusetts, reports, “On December 8, 1985, I will have eleven months of sexual sobriety thanks to God and SA and sexually sober people I’ve called nationally as well as our own group. I still feel in withdrawal because each attractive man I meet I over-respond to but my program helps me to not act out and my interactions with men are changing and new and I feel a lot of hope today!

From G.A. in Iceland: “Dear fellow members,
My name is G.A. and I would like to tell you how SA got started in Reykjavik, Iceland.

B.C., of Apple Valley, Minnesota, writes, “Here is our check for GSO support.… M.J. celebrated one year along with me just recently. We have had from four to eight members normally at a Friday evening meeting.…”

Salt Lake City groups report they have hit upon a way to help support the 12th Step work of the SA Central Office. They pass the basket around a second time for loose change only—no bills—and send that to Central Office. They were surprised at what this amounted to after just one month.

Cleveland’s first marathon was successful. Members from various surrounding states attended. One member reports, “There was real togetherness within the fellowship. It was the first time for all of us that we had gotten together with other groups.

B.T. of Salt Lake City, Utah writes, “I think now that I’ve been in SA for 2 years (it always seems to take 2 years) that I’m just getting to the program. I thought in the beginning that I didn’t really lust because I didn’t body watch but now I see that it was wanting people to think I was clever, smart, witty, to think I was so understanding, etc. on and on.

D.B. of Richmond, Virginia writes, “There have been many changes in my life as a result of SA. First and foremost, has been my admission and acceptance that I am an alcoholic. After admitting I was a sexaholic, I still had a deep pit in my gut that I was still not being honest with myself.

J.P. of Nashville, Tennessee says, “Nashville SA is small, but still there.”

R.S. of Marina del Rey, California writes,
Last night I admitted I was a hateaholic.