The following is taken from the new member orientation format of the Tucson, Arizona SA group:

“In early sobriety, it is common to experience withdrawal symptoms as with other addictions. But in spite of the initial struggle and confusion, we found that sexual sobriety, working the Steps, and participation in this fellowship would relieve our obsession and compulsion, as well as our guilt, shame, fear, and loneliness. And we could be free at long last from our slavery to sex and lust.

“To the newcomer, we offer two important cautions:

1. Don’t look for differences between your story and ours. You might be tempted to think you’re not as bad as we are, and therefore don’t need our program. Or you might feel you are so much worse than we are that we couldn’t possibly understand or help you. But look instead for the similarities. We all share the same basic obsession and compulsion.

2. Don’t rush to make amends to your family, or those who are close to you. That comes in Step Nine of our program, after you have had some sobriety, and have first taken care of yourself. By the time you get to Step Nine, you’ll be ready to make amends properly, and more importantly, with the right motivation. It is enough in the beginning to tell them that you are involved in a program of recovery, and that you believe it will improve your relationship with them. If you rush ahead of your program, you’re likely to hurt others and drive them away completely.

“Our program works for us, and it will work for you, too, if you decide to give it a fair chance. We define ‘a fair chance’ by these four requirements:

1. A willingness to strive for sobriety, as defined in SA;
2. A willingness to accept a temporary sponsor tonight;
3. A plan to attend meetings for at least six weeks; and
4. A willingness to present at least your First Step to the group.

“Now I’ll briefly share some of the main points of my own story with you. But before we proceed, we need to exclude anyone who is not here to deal with his or her own problem…”

The following is written into the meeting format of the Long Beach, CA Monday Night SA Group:

“This is also an anonymous meeting. This means that nothing said in this meeting is to be repeated outside the meeting to anyone for any reason. If you cannot adhere to this principle, or you are not here for your own personal sexual sobriety, we ask that you leave now. (Leader pauses to let any such persons leave.)”

These ideas are put forward simply to stimulate discussion and action. Please feed back from your experience.