Getting Started
For many of us, the thought of going to an SAA meeting for the first time filled us with fear, shame and guilt. All sorts of voices clamored in our minds warning us against revealing our problem to anyone. This fearfulness is as common as it is unfounded. No one judged us at our meetings. No one tried to “shame” us into getting better. Instead, what we found was a group of compassionate men and women who had accomplished what we had not – recovery from compulsive sexual behavior.
No one is judged at our meetings
Sex Addicts Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women. We share our experience, strength and hope with each other so that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from sexual addiction. Our program of recovery consists of some combination of meetings, reading the literature, working the twelve steps of SAA, phone calls and/or other interactions between members, and spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation. It will likely take time for you to integrate all of these into your life.
During your first meeting, the person leading will ask if there are any newcomers. We ask that you identify yourself with your first name only. You will be offered a newcomer’s meeting, a brief orientation to SAA. We encourage you to accept. Volunteers will talk with you privately about SAA and provide informational brochures that address issues such as, “What is SAA?” They will also answer whatever questions you might have.
Anonymity and confidentiality are central to our meetings being a safe place for everyone. We ask that you honor these principles.
We offer an array of supportive meetings in the Lubbock fellowship. You can ask about the different kinds of meetings, classes, and reading materials we have to offer you. It is likely you will have questions about how the program works. Understand this will take time. That is why we strongly encourage you to attend at least six meetings before you decide if SAA is for you. Attending different types of meeting is also a great way to meet new people.
Above all, we ask you to remember that the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop addictive sexual behavior. There are no dues or fees for SAA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. SAA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. Our primary purpose is to stay sexually sober and help other sex addicts to recover.
We welcome you to the local fellowship, and hope you will find the help, friendship and healing we have been privileged to receive.
Keep coming back, it works, and you are worth it!