1. What if I’m a spouse or partner of a sexaholic?
Meetings and support are available for the spouses and partners of sexaholics through S-Anon. S-Anon’s website has meeting locations and contact info
2. Is Sexaholics Anonymous religious?
No. We have members of all faith traditions, as well as members with no religious affiliation at all. As you work the steps, you will learn how to rebuild your relationship with your Higher Power of your own understanding, which may or may not be a traditional religious entity.
3. What problems does SA heal?
Any compulsive sexual behavior over which you feel you have lost control.
Masturbation, pornography, affairs, prostitution, serial relationships, anonymous sexual encounters, voyeurism, exhibitionism, sadism, masochism, bestiality, same-gender sex, and any illegal sexual behavior.
These are just examples. You don’t need to fit neatly into any of these categories. SA is for you if you have sexual behavior you believe you cannot stop.
4. Do men and women go to meetings?
Yes. The spiritual disease of sexaholism affects men and women.
The minority of members are women and the majority are men.
Each meeting differs. Not every meeting has women present. And sometimes a women’s-only meeting is available.
You can learn much more at the Women in SA page.
5. Can I attend SA if I’m gay?
Yes, all are welcome. Please note our sobriety definition:
“In defining sobriety, we do not speak for those outside Sexaholics Anonymous. We can only speak for ourselves. Thus, for the married sexaholic, sexual sobriety means having no form of sex with self or with persons other than the spouse. In SA’s sobriety definition, the term “spouse” refers to one’s partner in a marriage between a man and a woman. For the unmarried sexaholic, sexual sobriety means freedom from sex of any kind. And for all of us, single and married alike, sexual sobriety also includes progressive victory over lust.”
Many find they need the sobriety definition as-is to maintain their sobriety.
If the SA sobriety definition doesn’t work for you, other 12-step sex addiction fellowships are available with varying sobriety definitions.
6. What’s in Sexaholics Anonymous for me?
A proven, reliable solution that stops you from acting on compulsive sexual thinking. Many have transformed their lives from ones ruined by shame and guilt to peace, love, joy, and positive relationships with their Higher Power and others.
7. Can I stop?
Yes. Many in SA have. By following the 12 Steps of Recovery, thousands have transformed their lives. Once ruled by the guilt, shame, fear, and tyranny of lust, they now experience peace, joy, connection and fellowship with their Higher Power and loved ones.
8. How common is sexaholism?
Lust addiction is a common disease.
It’s everywhere. It can affect anyone, regardless of social class, race, or gender.
9. What’s my first meeting like?
All of us have been in a similar place that you find yourself – miserable, lonely, afraid, and filled with shame and guilt. But you’ll find a group filled with love and compassion who wants to do everything in their power to help you live happy, joyous, and free.
At your first meeting, you’ll get to hear some of the stories of others whose lives were brought to the brink of ruin by sexual addiction. And then you’ll get the opportunity to share as much or as little of your story as you like.
Ask whatever questions you like without judgment and learn how SA works.