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Before we got to SAA, many of us had damaged or destroyed our lives, careers, relationships, and marriages, and some of us had even been arrested or imprisoned. In SAA, we came to realize that for us sex was compulsive and addictive—just like alcohol, drugs, gambling, or food are for some. SAA is a program based on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and helps many of us achieve sexual sobriety, as AA has helped many alcoholics get sober. By working the Twelve Steps of SAA, we become transformed. This restores our integrity and sense of responsibility, making us accountable for our actions and, ultimately, better members of our families and communities.
Since our founding in 1977, SAA members have been sharing their experience, strength, and hope with each other so they may overcome their compulsive sexual behavior and help others recover as well.
Purpose of SAA
In SAA, we desire to stop our compulsive (or addictive) sexual behavior and to help others recover from sexual addiction. Recovery was possible for most of us only when we accepted the fact that we were powerless over our addictive behavior and that we were incapable of changing by ourselves. In SAA meetings we found acceptance by others who understood our struggle, and we learned that recovery from addictive behavior was possible.
The SAA program of recovery is based on the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, which have been adapted to sex addiction.
The SAA message of recovery
Our message is simple and profound: that recovery from sex addiction is possible through working the Twelve Steps of SAA, and that following this program results in a spiritual awakening. The steps provide a blueprint for full and successful living whatever may come, because the spiritual principles of the program can be practiced in all aspects of life.
Honesty, willingness, courage, humility, forgiveness, responsibility, gratitude, and faith are some of the names we give to the spiritual principles that gradually come to guide us in our lives. Continuing to apply these Steps daily keeps us spiritually fit and growing in recovery. Practicing these principles in our lives means applying them at home, at work, and in all other areas of our lives.
SAA recognizes there are other helpful resources for addiction-related issues, but we restrict our focus to working and living the Twelve Steps.
SAA welcomes all regardless of their prior record
The SAA fellowship welcomes anyone who has a desire to stop addictive sexual behavior, regardless of any prior record or behavior. SAA recognizes that not all sex offenders are sex addicts, and that not all sex addicts are sex offenders. We also acknowledge that inmates working on sex addiction issues while in prison may not have been convicted of sex-related offenses. In any case, we have found that the experience of SAA members has often been helpful for newly released prisoners as they re-enter society.
How does an ex-offender know about SAA?
An inmate may be familiar with SAA if he or she has been working with a member of SAA through the SAA prisoner outreach letter writing sponsorship program.
In the prisoner outreach program, the International Service Organization of SAA (ISO) responds to a request by providing literature and connecting the inmate with a member who is willing and able to correspond with the prisoner and serve as sponsor for working the SAA program of recovery.
Some ex-offenders may have attended SAA meetings in their facilities. Our experience suggests that connecting with a supportive local recovery community as soon as possible after release will greatly reduce the likelihood of recurrent addictive behavior.
SAA stands ready to help
Seeking help with addictive sexual thoughts and behaviors is important for those formerly incarcerated as they re-enter the reality of the outside world. Especially for inmates who have already been working the SAA program of recovery while in prison, attendance at SAA meetings as soon as possible after release can be a crucial step in maintaining their recovery.
For additional information, go to www.saa-recovery.org, call the ISO of SAA at +1 713-869-4902, or send an email with “Prisoner Outreach” in the subject line to .
