A letter of experience, strength, and hope to encourage the Fellowship.

Dear friends,

There is a strong message that was recently shared in our West African SA fellowship. It comes from Tradition Five in the White Book, page 209: “Each group (SA meeting) has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the sexaholic who still suffers.” There is a deep meaning in this Tradition.

The main work of becoming sober and keeping sober is not through the meetings. The purpose of the meetings, as stated above, is to attract and inform newcomers. Meetings help me, but the main work I do in staying sober is working the 12 Steps with my sponsor, and relying on my Higher Power to immediately help me let go of a lust temptation. If I am disappointed because the meetings aren’t keeping me sober, it means that I am not doing enough program work outside of the meetings.

Am I surrendering every lustful thought as soon as it occurs?

Am I making progress working on a Step?

Am I calling my sponsor regularly and getting current with my sponsor?

Am I reading literature daily or doing something daily, like making a phone call or attending a meeting?

Am I carrying the message and inviting suffering people to the meetings?

Am I praying for the willingness to be sober and expecting my Higher Power to help me immediately? 

I need to think about these things. I will keep coming to meetings and doing all the work outside of the meetings that is necessary to produce the sobriety that I desire.

In Fellowship,