“Our fellowship is open to women and men, regardless of age, race, religion, ethnic background, marital status, or occupation. We welcome members of any sexual identity or orientation, whether they are gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, or transgender.”
Getting Started as a Woman in SAA Meetings
There is help for women who have a sex addiction. We suggest coming to at least six local meetings or telemeetings within a short period of time before deciding whether SAA is right for you. Be gentle with yourself, and give yourself time to listen to others’ stories and absorb the introductory literature. If you are like us, you did not get to where you are now overnight. It will also take time to become oriented to this program and a new way of thinking and living in recovery. The Women’s Outreach Committee (WOC) has written a WOC welcome letter. It may also be useful.
Sponsorship
In the SAA fellowship, sponsors are other addicts who are willing to share how they worked the Twelve Step program and how they found recovery. Sponsors are not experts but fellow travelers in recovery, who carry the message as part of their own program of recovery. Sponsors share their experience, strength and hope in order to help others find the same freedom from addictive sexual behavior that they have found.
There are several ways to get a sponsor. Go to local meetings and listen for women who have completed the Twelve Steps and who have some experience in SAA. After some telemeetings (including most women-only telemeetings), some members provide their phone numbers. Listen for women who state that they are available to sponsor.
The SAA Women’s Outreach List is another way to connect with female sponsors. More information about this list is available under contacting other women. Some women ask a gay man to sponsor them, if they cannot find a female sponsor.
Literature and Other Media
One of the most important tools of recovery is literature. Literature is like having a portable program. It can go anywhere, and it will reinforce the ideas you hear at meetings. Keep literature available and carry it around with you. It is especially valuable when you travel, as you may not have easy access to meetings.
In early sobriety, read literature even when you don’t feel like it. It really helps! You might consider establishing a daily routine reading a defined amount of program literature. Even just a few minutes a day can make a difference.
