ESSAY Magazine (An International Journal of Sexaholics Anonymous)

We have seen many miracles. As a worldwide fellowship, SA carries some heavy responsibility. The Support for Institutions and Professionals Committee (SIP) is organized to address one of these responsibilities head on: sharing our message with various helping professionals and larger institutions. We, who have personally benefited from the miracles of the 12 Steps can now take part in informing those who help people every day.

“What can we do so that more women attend our meetings? What can we do to support women in SA? What can we give women when they come into our meetings? What are we doing wrong that women leave our meetings? How can we encourage more women in service?” These are some of the questions that members of the Public Information Committee (PIC) have heard from SA members. It seems there is great interest to grow in this area with little information or help.

I have been following a journey all my adult life toward what now, as a sober SA member, I think of as Step 1—and I am now almost 60. I am moved to write this article by The Real Connection reading for today, which at the time of writing is April 7. It describes a method of meditation which the writer felt could be useful to other members, that is, in silence paying attention to my breathing, and focusing on my breath as it goes in and out of my nose and mouth, letting go of my thoughts as they arise.

I attend the regular meetings of my home group every week, but currently, except for me, there are only male fellows there. However, as a “woman and a sexual minority,” I have been accepted into this group and feel like I belong and have a connection.   I feel comfortable and can share honestly regardless of gender because the fellows gathering in this group firmly incorporate and practice the content of “Closing Statement” of The Twelve and Twelve and Sexaholics Anonymous.

Dear ESSAY, we’d love to share the story of our Loving Chair with you all. Jaime Daniel is one of the founders of our group. 12 years ago, he celebrated his 24th anniversary of sobriety in another fellowship where he received a small plastic chair as a gift. He donated that chair to our “La Liberación” group. Since then, the chair serves as a reminder to us that our primary purpose is to keep our doors open to newcomers. For this reason, the voice of recovery takes precedence in our group. It is our wish that this voice gives hope to the person who hears the SA message for the first time.