I’ve only been in the program about 15 months and continue to be amazed at the difference it makes in my life. I think the greatest thing is the friends in the group, and the continued support. Ours is a good group, some growing going on here. The toughest part of this work remains turning my life and will over to God as I understand God. A day at a time.

SA works! Recently I had a test which measures physical reaction to sexual stimuli. I had a minimal reaction. Four years ago while I was in prison, I had a strong reaction. I attribute this to the SA program, the Twelve Steps, and three years of sobriety.

I attended my first SA meeting in Kansas City almost three years ago. I have been with various therapists and self-help groups, but the self-respect, self-love that I have today I can only credit to SA. Although I struggle with sobriety, I no longer have to act out one or two times daily, which I had been doing for almost 20 years when I came into the program. The “fix” doesn’t work any longer. I know this in my head but it hasn’t completely sunk into my heart. As an abused child that feared how unlovable I am—even to God, it has been difficult to learn the basic message of the 12-Step programs—let go, let God. Each day, however, I am seeing God, the program works in my life. I am able to refer to members of my SA group as friends and am comfortable in calling them—as a recovering loner this in itself is a miracle. I am truly grateful for SA and the recovery it has given me and the promises it offers.

…The point of me saying all this in this long introduction is that I am less and less attracted to SA as SA is getting bigger and that I am observing we are more liberal and tolerate swearing including sexually abusive language. I am seeing this at conventions. People go up and speak in front of large groups. Their words are being taped. It is not as if I don’t have proof of what I am saying. I cringe every time I rehear these abusive expressions on the tapes, which otherwise carry a good message.

…The “sobriety imperative.” First of all, this saved my life, and you remember how I resisted the radical definition at first. I do so no longer and am absolutely committed to the definition as it is.… I am relieved (for SA) to have met a few gays at the conventions who thoroughly uphold the SA stand on sobriety and marriage.