Discussion Topic
How do you identify with the “Recovering Female Sex Addict” story?
Dear ESSAY
Hi Essay, I inadvertently shared the December issue of Essay today on several global WhatsApp groups of which I am an administrator. Instead of sharing the download link to sa.org/essay I automatically distributed it to over 500 people. It was pointed out to me that this was a violation of the copyright.
Editors’ Corner
Dear Essay readers: This issue of Essay includes many stories on The Hand of SA Reaches Out. As of late January there were about 1,758 downloads (about 800 views) of the newly free June Essay, 1,084 (about 500 views) of September, and 1,590 downloads (about 750 views) of December to date. Our desire to be a global Meeting in Print is well underway. Let your groups know Essay is available!
Humor For SA
Do you find yourself wanting to be vague about your sobriety date? The endgame strategy of choice is to say “I am grateful to be sober today.” It allows you to be the mysterious humble one in the meeting without giving an actual sobriety date.
A Plea From Italy
Do you speak Italian? Are you available and willing to sponsor and help the growth of the young Italian fellowship? SA in Italy started on 9 Feb 2017 with a Skype meeting which helped reach sexaholics in various regions of the country—and Italian-speakers residing abroad, too. A Twelve-Step workshop with some fifteen participants in November helped to strengthen the fellowship and reach out.
Official Support Boosts SA Growth in Moscow
Since Russia’s Chief Narcologist Yevgeny Brune issued a letter of support to SA on June 27, 2016, the number of weekly meetings in Moscow has more than doubled to eleven.
Twenty More Years
I am grateful for six years of sobriety, starting October 10, 2011. It has been by the grace of God, the support of the fellowship, and a whole lot of work on my part.
Sexaholic, Mentally Ill, and Sober
I lost 8 years of sexual sobriety and was only able to regain it after discovering a mental health condition which had been undiagnosed since childhood. I had spent a lifetime in counselors’ offices trying to work out what was wrong with me. I came into SA, being one of the founding members of the program in my city. I got sober, worked the Steps, did service, sponsored others, immersed myself in the literature and conference recordings. But I wasn’t “happy, joyous, and free!”
Step 9: Just Another Day?
Today is November 7th. Three full days after I celebrated my November 4th birthday I still have not gotten any text or phone call from my parents, brother, or my two children. I realize that I am an adult. I told myself over and over again that it was just another day. All my life I was told “a birthday is just another day.” I believed hoping for birthday wishes was selfish and to just move on.
How NOT to Work the Steps
Jesse became an expert — on the Steps! Here’s the Jesse Step Program: STEP 1: Powerless? “Yes, of course! I can’t stop myself.”
