Oldtimers’ Legacy

I Did Not Quit, I Surrendered
Gallery
I Did Not Quit, I Surrendered

I Did Not Quit, I Surrendered

I did not quit, I surrendered. I began my journey in this program when a friend from Al-Anon told me I was a sexaholic. To prove her wrong, I agreed to go to six SA meetings. During those six meetings I slowly came to admit that I was a sexaholic. At the beginning I made no eye contact with other members and I did not share. There were six other SA women at my first home group meeting. We went to two meetings a week as a group, which helped me to connect with the program and then I started to share.

By Peg V., Ohio, USA|2025-09-11T13:29:01-05:00March 26, 2023|Comments Off

What We Share Becomes More Powerful
Gallery
What We Share Becomes More Powerful

What We Share Becomes More Powerful

When I admitted powerlessness and unmanageability (Step One), I began Twelve-Step recovery. Within one week my spiritual awakening began as I could believe in the experience of others and feel hope. For me this was Step Two. Beginning to learn and live the Steps in my life (with some assistance from professionals) enlarged and deepened my spiritual awakening.

By Lee T., Tennessee, USA|2025-09-11T13:48:31-05:00February 4, 2023|Comments Off

One Day at a Time
Gallery
One Day at a Time

One Day at a Time

For me, recovery means that my worst day today is better than my best day in my insanity. What does that mean? It doesn’t sound rational.

By Priscilla C., Tennessee, USA|2025-08-06T12:09:09-05:00August 6, 2022|Comments Off

The Stairway to Spirituality in Recovery
Gallery
The Stairway to Spirituality in Recovery

The Stairway to Spirituality in Recovery

I practice no organized religion, but I may refer to specific religious traditions here because of their being examples related to my journey. In November 1985 I stopped acting out by means of chemical castration. This was because of life-threatening behaviors that were occurring as a part of my acting out. There was no emotional or spiritual treatment combined with it.

By Lee T., Tennessee, USA|2025-09-16T13:12:41-05:00May 31, 2022|Comments Off

I’m Growing Into a Sort of Emotional Adulthood
Gallery
I’m Growing Into a Sort of Emotional Adulthood

I’m Growing Into a Sort of Emotional Adulthood

I'm a member from the UK and I'm a sexaholic. I acted out with pornography, masturbation, prostitution, adultery, promiscuity, sexualizing men, women, children, animals and objects, voyeurism and exhibitionism, romantic fantasy, sexual intrigue, and emotional affairs. And by the grace of God and the program of Sexaholics Anonymous, I haven't had to do any of that stuff for over 27 years and for that I am incredibly grateful.

By Nicholas S., Cumbria, UK|2025-09-16T13:10:18-05:00May 30, 2022|Comments Off

Obstacles to Emotional Sobriety
Gallery
Obstacles to Emotional Sobriety

Obstacles to Emotional Sobriety

I was recently asked to write an article for the Essay on Emotional Sobriety. At first my reaction was to say “No.” I wanted to say No because I felt, deep down, that most people in SA have difficulty reaching Emotional Sobriety since they can barely reach “lust sobriety.”

By Harvey A., Florida, USA|2025-09-16T13:24:58-05:00May 30, 2022|Comments Off

Living in the Answer
Gallery
Living in the Answer

Living in the Answer

27 years ago I walked into a room full of men … what did I expect? I thought I would see people that looked dirty and secretive. Thankfully my expectations were completely wrong. I saw a room full of ordinary men just like I might see at work or out with friends.

By Priscilla C., Tennessee, USA|2025-09-16T14:21:59-05:00May 29, 2022|Comments Off

Stepping Into Freedom from the Obsession
Gallery
Stepping Into Freedom from the Obsession

Stepping Into Freedom from the Obsession

When I first arrived in SA, I asked a man who had several years of sobriety to be my sponsor. A few months later, when I was ready to start Step 4, I discovered that he had never worked the Steps.

By Bill S., Nashville, sober since 1993|2025-08-22T01:13:57-05:00April 11, 2022|Comments Off

My Favorite Illustration Was Of The “SA Shine”
Gallery
My Favorite Illustration Was Of The “SA Shine”

My Favorite Illustration Was Of The “SA Shine”

It was my privilege to serve as Essay editor during the years 1999-2000. My service term was short, but memorable. I could not always keep pace with the Essay production schedule. I will always admire those before and after me who have produced regular Essay issues full of inspiring material. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Theirs is not an easy task.

By Dorene S., Washington, USA|2025-09-03T14:16:46-05:00December 13, 2021|Comments Off

The Spirituality of the SA Literature Kept Him Coming Bok
Gallery
The Spirituality of the SA Literature Kept Him Coming Bok

The Spirituality of the SA Literature Kept Him Coming Bok

Lust addiction and sexual acting-out brought me into SA, but it was the spirituality of the SA literature and deeper spiritual fellowship I found in SA meetings that kept me coming back and called me to perform service in SA. With a background in writing and editing, I served on the SA Literature Committee that edited the White Book and Recovery Continues as well as other SA literature.

By Lawrence M., Virginia, USA|2025-09-03T14:17:39-05:00December 13, 2021|Comments Off

Oldtimers’ Legacy

I Did Not Quit, I Surrendered

What We Share Becomes More Powerful

One Day at a Time

The Stairway to Spirituality in Recovery

I’m Growing Into a Sort of Emotional Adulthood

Obstacles to Emotional Sobriety

Living in the Answer

Stepping Into Freedom from the Obsession

My Favorite Illustration Was Of The “SA Shine”

The Spirituality of the SA Literature Kept Him Coming Bok

Get in touch

Legal

Contributions