…I continue to go to meetings here in CT as well as NY. Sobriety frees me up inside; I’m less self-conscious. And strangely, time goes more quickly as I am more capable of getting involved in the demands of my profession without the burden of lust. Temptation is ever present; each time I have to decide—once again—and unite myself with my Higher Power.

Thank you for being there when I needed you. Please accept my enclosed contribution for further 12th Step work.

I’m absolutely feeling inadequate, frightened trying to use words to express openness and caring instead of hiding behind them! Such a burden to try and walk around with! I started with comic books, adventure stories, text books, science books, philosophy, theology, ad nauseam—and when the great disillusionment became conscious, and my intellect turned on itself to punish and gratify (backwards?), then I filled myself with my comics, etc.—pornography and fantasies. The horror I begin to see is that the intellectual “genius” and my rebellious pervert are me! The same! Protecting self, indulging self, glorifying self, crucifying self! I’ve always been the star of all my productions, whether hero or villain, healer or killer of others and self! What a “picture” of unmanageability and lack of power.…

…I am writing this letter for two reasons. First is to thank you for all the work you do for us at GSO. In particular, a special thanks for sending the references for newcomer inquiries. Second is to tell you that each and every reference is meticulously followed up on. They don’t all stay, however. This program is certainly “the toughest act in town,” and many find it not possible at this time to continue. There is comfort in the fact that they now know who and where we are, and we pray that they will come back if things get bad enough.…

Hi again. Thanks so much for sending me a copy of the SA booklet. I now have three months’ sobriety. The program really works! At the same time I’m sending this, I’m sending a letter to my sponsor in Boise, asking him for a contact person for the group there.… The group there is like a second family to me.… The group here is doing well.… The program has shown me a way out from a hitherto unknown disease.

I am currently an inmate at the North Idaho Correctional Institution. I began attending SA meetings in Boise about four months before becoming incarcerated. I found a great sense of serenity through those meetings. There were between four to six members usually attending our Friday night meetings. About two weeks before being incarcerated, my sponsor showed me a copy of ESSAY. In it was a letter from B.S. telling of the group here. Imagine my surprise! I thought that I was going to introduce SA to the institution! God had already brought the fellowship here.