Participation in conventions is one of the strongest recovery tools, which I was able to experience again last weekend, together with almost 50 fellows from seven countries. Beginning of January has become a priority in my diary since I first went to the Exeter winter convention last year.

These kinds of gatherings always bring some challenges to me and this time I had to face the fact that I was the only woman there, which wasn’t easy for me, a sexaholic, because lust came to the surface. Exactly the same happened to me before, when something good was occurring in my life, that my illness wanted me back.

When I noticed my dark thoughts and I started to consider cancelling my booking, my addiction began whispering that I didn’t deserve to be there. But my two years of sobriety was my anchor at that moment and I surrendered this to God immediately, upon which peace came to my heart.

Then I recalled, what I’d heard many times, that my sobriety and recovery don’t take away neither lust nor my character defects, but they teach me how to live with them, using all available tools, especially developing my spiritual life and deepening the relationship with my Higher Power. Once again my weakness turned into strength.

Taking part in previous conventions had made me realize that I belong to SA, but this year I was able to feel a wonderful power of brotherhood, acceptance, understanding, and love from all who attended. I’ve learnt the lesson that in recovery we all are equal, despite different life stories. I hope that I took as much as I could from the speakers invited to the convention, and I want to multiply this now and share with others who weren’t able to be there, e.g. by sponsoring them.