Tri County Recovery

Good evening and welcome to our meeting. This is a SAA meeting open to sex addicts and those still suffering compulsive and unhelpful sexual behaviours.

There are no dues or fees for membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.

We are not affiliated with any sect, denomination, political group, organization, or institution. Our primary purpose is to maintain freedom from our addictive/compulsive unhelpful sexual behaviour and to maintain our well being.

We band together to help ourselves from our addiction. We share our experiences in order to help ourselves to become honest, open-minded and willing. Sharing helps all of us to remember how it was and how we arrived at where we are today.

We live one day at a time and practice the 12 steps of SAA.

My name is _______________ I am a sex addict and your trusted servant for this meeting.

Let’s open this meeting with a moment of silent meditation for ourselves and for those still suffering, followed by the Serenity Prayer.

Moderator recite prayer and at end, all in unison can say Amen

Moderator

This is an anonymous program, meaning that what you hear here, please leave it here in the room when the meeting is over. This is so that we all feel comfortable with what we say.

It is the custom of this group for members to share their first name only, what you are feeling in one or two words, you may also share your length of sobriety from your inner circle behaviours if you desire.

My name is _______________ , I’m a sex addict and today I feel _______________. I have _______________ of sobriety from my inner circle behaviors.

Now let’s go around for introductions. You don’t have to participate in this but you are more than welcome to.

Would everybody who cares to, introduce themselves to the group.

Moderator allow group to introduce themselves. Go around the room but it is not necessary for a person to introduce themselves.

Moderator: Could I have a volunteer reader to read, the "Our lives before, Why we are here and Our Recovery" section

Volunteer Reader

We were sexually compulsive people. Despite our most heroic efforts and solemn promises, we were unable to turn away from behaviours and obsessions that were ruining our lives.

We could no longer deny the pain that our compulsive sexual behaviours had caused in our lives. Many of us had experienced such dramatic consequences as divorce, disease, jail, or financial ruin before seeing that our lives had become unmanageable.

When we learned of S.A.A. we began to hope again that our lives could be freed from our sexual compulsivity. We began to attend S.A.A. meetings. We heard stories similar to ours, and we heard how others in S.A.A. were abstaining from their compulsive behaviours. We learned of the 12 steps of recovery, and when we began to apply them in our lives, we discovered that we, too, could abstain from our compulsive behaviours, with the help of our fellow addicts. We acquired the faith and courage to make appropriate changes in our lives, and to accept our daily problems as stepping stones for spiritual growth.

Moderator: "Could I have a volunteer read the __"Abstinence Statement__." section

Volunteer Reader

Our goal when entering the S.A.A. program is abstinence from one or more specific sexual behaviours. But unlike programs for Alcoholics or drug addicts, Sex Addicts Anonymous does not have a universal definition of abstinence.

It is not sex in and of itself that causes us problems, but the addiction to certain sexual behaviours. As such, our primary purpose is to abstain from sexually compulsive behaviour, and help others achieve abstinence. First, we define abstinence in terms of behaviour rather than mental states, we do not focus our efforts upon abstaining from mental “lust”, but from compulsive behaviour. Some see recovery quicker, others slower but, “Progress rather than perfection” is that atmosphere or growth that we seek to promote.

Our addictive sexual behaviour was causing pain—to ourselves, our friends, and our loved ones. Our lives were out of control. We may have wanted to quit, making promises and many attempts to stop, yet we repeatedly failed to do so, desperation brought us together. We found in each other what we could find nowhere else: people who knew the depth of our pain. Together we found hope and the care of a loving Higher Power. Our commitment is to help others recover from sexual addiction, just as we have been helped.

Moderator:

This book contains our stories and our wisdom. It is dedicated to sex addicts everywhere.

Sex Addicts Anonymous is a spiritual program based on the principles and traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Could I have a volunteer read the "About us" section

Volunteer Reader

We are sex addicts, our addiction nearly destroyed our lives, but we found freedom through the recovery program of Sex Addicts Anonymous.

Our primary purpose is to stop our addictive sexual behaviour and to help others recover from sexual addiction. We find a new way of living through the S.A.A. program, and to carry our message to others seeking recovery. Membership is open to all who have a desire to stop addictive sexual behaviour. There is no other requirement. Our fellowship is open to women and men, regardless of 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.

Moderator:

The Twelve Steps of Sex Addicts Anonymous Summary from p20 to 21 of the SAA green book.

Would someone like to read the 12 Steps of SAA.

Volunteer Reader

SAA has established Twelve traditions that allow the Fellowship to survive.

These traditions may be found in the Green Book. At the core of these Traditions are the Principle of anonymity, to look after the good of the Fellowship and it’s welfare should come first. There are no leaders rather we each contribute where we may as trusted servants.

Would somebody like to read two of the twelve traditions of SAA and comment upon one of them. Volunteer Reader

Moderator:

Adhering to these principles safeguards our fellowship, thus protecting the recovery of each individual member. We have found that they also help us to act with integrity in our personal relationships and as responsible members of society.

After the daily reading (reading of the day) section has been completed, please return to this booklet to continue the program below.

Moderator:

This is a step meeting of SAA. Its purpose is to help us stay out of delusion and denial about our sex addiction. You may share with the group an issue that you have been struggling with or something from the reading that resonates with you. Cross talk is discouraged. In this meeting we stay focused on the solution as presented in the 12 steps of SAA. We read from SAA and AA literature.

Now the meeting is open for sharing your insight and knowledge about your addiction. Everybody is invited to share but nobody should feel compelled to share. Who would like to begin?

Moderator:

Now the meeting is open for sharing your insight and knowledge about your addiction. Everybody is invited to share but nobody should feel compelled to share. Who would like to begin?

Moderator:

After everybody has had a opportunity to share, check with the group to see if anybody would like to double dip before continuing on to the next section.

Moderator:

Do we have a volunteer to lead the celebration of the milestones?

Volunteer Reader

The taking of medallions in our group is strictly optional.

Medallions are offered to encourage individuals to meet their own personal commitments. Medallions do not set individuals apart as authorities; they do recognize milestones of achievement in an individual’s program.”

As a sign of the value of the program, would all who have 3 or more months of continuous sobriety from their inner circle behaviour please raise your hand or your virtual hand.

Is there anybody here today who is celebrating 30 days of continuous sobriety and who would like to share their success with the group so that we might celebrate with you?

     60 days
     90 Days
     6 Months
     9 Months
     1 year?

Is there anybody here who is celebrating more than a year of continuous sobriety from their inner circle and would like to receive a metal medallion?

And now for the most important medallion of them all - is there anybody here who is celebrating 24 hours of sobriety and would like to share with the group and allow us to celebrate your achievement.

Moderator:

Now it’s time for our 7th Tradition which states that “every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.”

In the traditional in person meeting we will take a collection to support the services offered to the group of pamphlets, contact lines, email and web services as well as the actual rent for the room. It is more difficult to directly collect the money in a electronic meeting, so, if you are attending this meeting virtually, recognizing the value of service in giving, we are encouraging you to send a donation to …​

Tri County Recovery via etransfer
donate@tcr.p2har.org

The ISO in Houston to continue their work: https://saa-recovery.org

Moderator:

Through a renewed relationship with God/our Higher Power, the healing force of recovery will take hold in our hearts. By giving ourselves over to God/our Higher Power and working our program, our lives will become manageable and we will be restored to sanity. We will receive the inner strength and support needed to face our anxieties and fears and to deal with the painful feelings that feed our addiction.

Are these extravagant promises?
All Together "WE THINK NOT"

Moderator:

We have seen them fulfilled. They are ours, if we want them and work for them.

SAA Announcments - Are there any SAA related announcements?

Remember Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our traditions, ever reminding us to put principles before personalities. So once again, remember - when you leave here, what you hear here, leave it here.

     We encourage you to stay in contact with your sponsor and support system this week.

     The difference between sobriety and recovery is connections.

     If you are new here, seek out people and get contact information. Today, may you become connected and may you remain connected.

     If you are a regular, we encourage you to keep in touch with the people in the fellowship. Reach out and call. Your contact could be the thing that keeps them sober.

As we go into fellowship, just a gentle reminder that although fellowship is not a meeting, as such, it is still suggested that we follow the principles set forth in the traditions during this time. It is most beneficial to share your own experiences and use I words and avoid giving advice.

     Fellowship is a great time to ask questions, arrange to get together outside the meeting or touchbase.

     Feel free to leave at any time. This is an ideal time for newcomers to ask questions, get names and contact numbers and start building connections for sobriety.

     The meeting is now over and everybody is invited to stick around if it suits them.