Meeting Documents:
The Twelve Steps
The Twelve Traditions
SLAA Preamble
The Golden Braid, Newcomer’s Welcome and SLAA Promises are at the bottom of this page.
Please click the Plus Sign to open.
To understand anonymity and meetings, please read Anonymity, the Law, and SLAA.
(Hybrid format Will R & Lou C 9/16/2024)
Do the italics, say the bold.
Please arrive about 5 minutes before the meeting to set up the zoom connection and speaker. If you’re online, be on the call a few minutes before noon.
Try to place the phone so that everyone in the room is visible within the camera frame.
Get volunteers for all of the readings before starting (Preamble, Steps, Golden Braid)
If there are any unknown people or unknown phone numbers online, ask them to identify themselves.
This is the Monday Noon Beginner’s Meeting of Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. My name is ____________ and I am a recovering sex and love addict. This is a closed meeting; only those seeking their own sexual and emotional sobriety, please.
If there are people on Zoom, read the following 2 paragraphs:
For those joining on Zoom, in order to reduce distraction and maintain a safe space for everyone, please refrain from sending private chats during the sharing. If you receive an unwelcome private chat, please inform the Chair.
May we have a reading of the S.L.A.A. Preamble?
(Only if there are unfamiliar faces,or if there are people joining on the phone who can’t see who is present)
This is a program of identification. So that we may realize that we are not alone in the confusion and struggle with manifestations of sex addiction and romantic intrigue, let’s begin by going around the room and online saying our first names.
Are there any newcomers today?
(If not, skip to the Twelve Steps. If there are newcomers, ask someone to read the Newcomer’s Welcome or read it yourself.)
May we have a reading of the Twelve Steps?
At this meeting we discuss up to two topics suggested from the floor. Does anyone have a problem in sobriety or a question about recovery that they would like to suggest we discuss?
Please keep your sharing limited to the topic. The sharing will end at 12:55.
(If there are 8 or more people present on-site and online, say the following):
Since there are __ of us, try to keep your shares to __ minutes or less so that everyone gets a chance to share. I’ll set a timer and will give a 1 minute warning (if you are unable to do this, ask if someone else can).If you’re joining by Zoom, remember to mute yourself, unless you are sharing.
Announce the sharing order–popcorn style, round robin, etc.
Who would like to begin?
Sharing continues until approximately 12:55 at which time the chair says:
In accordance with the Seventh Tradition, we have no dues or fees. We do, however, have expenses such as rent, literature, and support of our local Intergroup and Fellowship-Wide Services. The basket we pass pays for these expenses. If you’re joining on Zoom, you may donate to the Monday and Thursday noon groups’ “virtual basket” on Venmo (Saint-Andrew-1; then if prompted, 2971). You can label the transaction “7th Tradition.” You may also contribute on the Fellowship-Wide Services website slaafws.org/contributions. We pass the basket a second time to pay down the back rent. Thank you for your generosity.
Are there any announcements from our group secretary?
Are there any other S.L.A.A. announcements?
Mention lunch after the meeting.
Has anyone celebrated an S.L.A.A. anniversary in the past week?
May we have a reading of “The Golden Braid.”
In closing, the opinions expressed here today are strictly those of the individuals who gave them. Take what you like and leave the rest. The things you have heard here are spoken in confidence and should be treated as confidential. Remember our cherished tradition, “who you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.” Talk to each other, reason things out, but let there be no gossip or criticism of one another. Instead, let the understanding, peace, and love of the program grow in you one day at a time.
(Before we close, who can volunteer to set up and/or chair next week’s meeting?)
We will now close our meeting with the Serenity Prayer. Hand-holding is optional.
You may unmute if you wish.
Format used as of April 28, 2026. Format by Will R. with input from others, modeled on Monday noon group format. Not approved by group conscience.
Do the italics, say the bold.
Be on the call a few minutes before 7:30pm if possible.
Get volunteers for all of the readings before starting (Preamble, Steps, Golden Braid)
If there are any unknown people or unknown phone numbers online, ask them to identify themselves.
This is the Tuesday Virtual Meeting of Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. My name is ____________ and I am a recovering sex and love addict. This is a closed meeting; only those seeking or questioning their own sexual and emotional sobriety are welcome.
In order to reduce distraction and maintain a safe space for everyone, please refrain from sending private chats during the sharing. If you receive an unwelcome private chat, please inform the Chair.
May we have a reading of the S.L.A.A. Preamble? (Click here.)
This is a program of identification. As a reminder that we are not alone in the confusion and struggle with manifestations of sex addiction and romantic intrigue, let’s begin by introducing ourselves by our first names.
Are there any newcomers today? (If yes, read Newcomer’s welcome)
May we have a reading of the Twelve Steps? (Click here.)
At this meeting we discuss up to two topics suggested from the floor. Does anyone have a problem in sobriety or a question about recovery that they would like to suggest we discuss?
Please keep your sharing limited to the topic. The sharing will end at 8:25.
If necessary, announce that there will be a time limit and 1 minute warning, and ask someone to be a timer, if you are unable to do it yourself.
Please remember to mute yourself, unless you are sharing.
Announce the sharing order– “popcorn style”, round robin, etc.
Who would like to begin?
Sharing continues until approximately 8:25 at which time the chair says:
In accordance with the Seventh Tradition, though we have no dues or fees, we do have expenses, including support for the Intergroup’s Zoom account and other business, and support for SLAA Fellowship Wide Services.
You may contribute directly to the Western Pennsylvania Intergroup on Paypal, at stevoknievel. Label the transaction “Tuesday Virtual.”
You may also contribute directly to the Fellowship-Wide Services at their website, slaafws.org/contributions.
In addition, we request contributions to support our Annual Business Meeting delegates’ travel to Paoli PA in August. You can label that contribution “Tuesday Virtual ABM.” Thank you for your generosity.
If we have elected a secretary, ask for announcements; otherwise skip:
Are there any announcements from our group secretary?
Are there any other S.L.A.A. announcements?
Has anyone celebrated an S.L.A.A. anniversary in the past week?
May we have a reading of “The Golden Braid.”
In closing, the opinions expressed here today are strictly those of the individuals who gave them. Take what you like and leave the rest. The things you have heard here are spoken in confidence and should be treated as confidential. Remember our cherished tradition, “who you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.” Talk to each other, reason things out, but let there be no gossip or criticism of one another. Instead, let the understanding, peace, and love of the program grow in you one day at a time.
(Before we close, who can volunteer to chair next week’s meeting?)
We will now close our meeting with the Serenity Prayer. You may unmute if you wish.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
(Hybrid format by Will R 3/26/2024)
Do the italic, say the bold.
Please arrive about 5 minutes before the meeting to set up the zoom connection and speaker. If you’re chairing online, be on the call a few minutes before noon.
Try to place the phone so that everyone in the room is visible within the camera frame.
Get volunteers for all of the readings before starting: (Preamble, Steps, Traditions, Promises)
If there are any unknown people or unknown phone numbers online, ask them to identify themselves.
Welcome to the Thursday noon Beginner’s Meeting of Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. My name is ____________ and I am a recovering sex and love addict. This is a closed meeting; only those seeking their own sexual and emotional sobriety, please.
If there are people on Zoom, read the following:
For those joining on Zoom, in order to reduce distraction and maintain a safe space for everyone, please refrain from sending private chats during the reading and sharing portion of the meeting. If you receive an unwelcome private chat, please inform the Chair. To maintain anonymity, please make sure your name on Zoom does not display your full name.
May we have a reading of the S.L.A.A. Preamble?
Only if there are unfamiliar faces, or if there is anyone joining by phone who can’t see who is present, say:
This is a program of identification. So that we may realize that we are not alone in the confusion and struggle with manifestations of sex addiction and romantic intrigue, let’s begin by going around the room and then online saying our first names.
Are there any newcomers today?
(If not, skip to the Twelve Steps. If there are newcomers, ask someone to read the Newcomer’s Welcomeor read it yourself.)
May we have a reading of the Twelve Steps?
May we have a reading of the Twelve Traditions?
At this meeting we read a Step or on the final Thursday of the month read the Tradition corresponding to the month. The group decided that we would read the same step from the SLAA Basic Text Draft of the 50th Anniversary Edition one week and the AA 12&12 the next.
(Sometimes if there is a newcomer we read the Basic Text Step 1 instead)
This afternoon’s topic is ____
[check the meeting ledger to see where we left off at the last meeting].
I’ll read a paragraph or two from the text and then pass it along here in the room, and then to those attending by zoom. You are free to pass if you choose. We’ll comment on the topic following the reading. Who on Zoom would be able to read if needed?
(Take note of responses).
When the reading is finished say:
We will now discuss today’s reading. Please keep your sharing limited to the topic. The sharing will end at 12:55. Since there are __ of us, try to keep your shares to __ minutes or less so that all may have a chance to share.
(If the group is particularly large, like 8 or more):
I’ll set a timer and will give a 1 minute warning.
(if you are unable to do this, ask if someone else can).
If you’re joining by Zoom, please remember to mute yourself, unless you are sharing.
When those on Zoom are sharing, the chair may mute the bluetooth speaker, except to greet and thank them, or notify them of their remaining share time.
Announce the sharing order or mode–round-robin or popcorn style.
Who would like to begin the sharing?
Sharing continues until approximately 12:55 at which time the chair says:
In accordance with the Seventh Tradition, we have no dues or fees. We do, however, have expenses such as rent, literature, and support of our local Intergroup and Fellowship-Wide Services. The basket we pass pays for these expenses. If you’re joining on Zoom, you may donate to the Monday and Thursday noon groups’ “virtual basket” on Venmo (Saint-Andrew-1; then if prompted, 2971). You can label the transaction “7th Tradition.” You may also contribute on the Fellowship-Wide Services website slaafws.org/contributions. Thank you for your generosity.
Are there any announcements from our group secretary?
Are there any S.L.A.A. announcements?
Mention lunch after the meeting.
Has anyone celebrated an S.L.A.A. anniversary in the past week?
May we have a reading of “The Promises”?
In closing, the opinions expressed here today are strictly those of the individuals who gave them. Take what you like and leave the rest. The things you have heard here are spoken in confidence and should be treated as confidential. Remember our cherished tradition, “who you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.” Talk to each other, reason things out, but let there be no gossip or criticism of one another. Instead, let the understanding, peace, and love of the program grow in you one day at a time.
Before we close, please use the Noon Meeting Chair Signup spreadsheet online and sign up to set up and/or chair next week’s meeting if no one has already done so. If you don’t have access to the document, you can text your email address to Will R. at 412-728-4980.
We will now close our meeting with the Serenity Prayer. Hand-holding is optional.
You may unmute if you wish.
Chair: Open the Meeting
Welcome to the (________) meeting of S.L.A.A. My name is ________ and I am a sex and love addict. This is a closed meeting; only those seeking their own personal sexual sobriety are welcome to join us. If you haven’t done so already, please check to be sure that you are muted and that you re-mute after reading or sharing.
Before we start, I’d like to ask that you join me now in a brief moment of silence for those still suffering from sex and love addiction. (Pause.)
To open the meeting, I will lead us in saying the Serenity Prayer.
Chair: The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Would someone please read “The S.L.A.A. Preamble?”
Reader: The S.L.A.A. Preamble
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous is a Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition-oriented fellowship based on the model pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous.
The only qualification for S.L.A.A. membership is a desire to stop living out a pattern of sex and love addiction. S.L.A.A. is supported entirely through the contributions of its membership and is free to all who need it.
To counter the destructive consequences of sex and love addiction, we draw on five major resources:
Sobriety. Our willingness to stop acting out on our own personal bottom-line addictive behavior on a daily basis.
Sponsorship and Meetings. Our capacity to reach out for the supportive fellowship within S.L.A.A.
Steps. Our practice of the Twelve Step program of recovery to achieve sexual and emotional sobriety.
Service. Our giving back to the S.L.A.A. community what we continue to freely receive.
Spirituality. Our developing a relationship with a Power greater than ourselves which can guide and sustain us in recovery.
As a fellowship, S.L.A.A. has no opinion on outside issues and seeks no controversy. S.L.A.A. is not affiliated with any other organizations, movements or causes, either religious or secular.
We are, however, united in a common focus: dealing with our addictive sexual and emotional behavior. We find a common denominator in our obsessive/compulsive patterns which transcends any personal differences of sexual orientation or gender identity. We need protect with special care the anonymity of every S.L.A.A. member. Additionally we try to avoid drawing undue attention to S.L.A.A. as a whole from the public media.
Chair:
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous is not sex therapy, nor group therapy, and offers no treatment of any kind. It is not a place for picking up sex partners, nor learning how to control and enjoy lust. This is not a social club. Newcomers with questions or those desiring additional information may stay on the line and talk with me or others after the meeting ends. Would someone please read “How It Works?”
Reader: How It Works (Part 1)
Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program—usually, men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault. They seem to have been have born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest.
Our stories disclose, in a general way, what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now. If you’ve decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any lengths to get it, then you are ready to take certain steps.
At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier, softer way. But we could not. With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start. Some of us have tried to hold onto our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.
Remember that we are dealing with sex and love addiction: cunning, baffling, powerful. Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power. That One is God. May you find God now! Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon. Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program of recovery. (Ask someone to read “The Twelve Steps.”)
Reader: The Twelve Steps
1. We admitted we were powerless over sex and love addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with a Power greater than ourselves, praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to sex and love addicts, and to practice these principles in all areas of our lives.
Reader: How It Works (Part 2)
Many of us exclaimed, “What an order! I can’t go through with it.” Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints. The point is that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles that we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.
Our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas:
- That we were sexually and emotionally addicted and could not manage our own lives.
- That probably no human power could have relieved our addiction.
- That God could and would if God were sought.
Chair: Would someone please read “The Twelve Traditions?”
Reader: The Twelve Traditions of S.L.A.A.
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon S.L.A.A. unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as this Power may be expressed through our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants. They do not govern.
3. The only requirement for S.L.A.A. membership is the desire to stop living out a pattern of sex and love addiction. Any two or more persons gathered together for mutual aid in recovering from sex and love addiction may call themselves an S.L.A.A. group, provided that as a group they have no other affiliation.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or S.L.A.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the sex and love addict who still suffers.
6. An S.L.A.A. group or S.L.A.A. as a whole ought never to endorse, finance, or lend the S.L.A.A. name to any
related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, or prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every S.L.A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. S.L.A.A. should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. S.L.A.A. as such ought never to be organized, but we may create service boards or committees directly
responsible to those they serve.
10. S.L.A.A. has no opinion on outside issues; hence, the S.L.A.A. name ought never to be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, TV, film, and other public and social media. We need guard with special care the anonymity of all fellow S.L.A.A. members.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Chair: Choose a Topic and Share
This is a topic meeting and the group has decided we can discuss as many as two topics related to recovery. Would anyone like to suggest a topic for discussion by the group? (Invite suggestions, and clarify any vague subject, if necessary.)
Our sharing today will focus on the topic(s) of: __________. If you open your CHAT window, you’ll see we’ve listed the meeting topic(s) and first names of everyone in attendance. We will share in that order.
When it’s your turn, please introduce yourself by your first name and comment on the topic. You may wish to identify your bottom line and the length of your sobriety or time in the program. In addition, you may want to get current. By getting current we mean sharing situations which appear to pose major threats to maintaining our sobriety in S.L.A.A. We avoid abusive and suggestive language. We also avoid cross talk, which means commenting directly or indirectly on another person’s sharing.
Finally, while anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our program and essential to our recovery, it does not protect us from the law. If someone shares about illegal activities — especially anything involving minors — there could be legal consequences both for the person sharing and for those listening. This applies whether sharing in the meeting or privately with a sponsor. We say this so everyone understands these limits and can share with clarity and care. If you have any questions or need clarification, please speak with the chairperson after the meeting.
As Chair, if I think the language used is too explicit or that there has been cross talk, or that information being shared is unsuitable in any way, I will intervene. You are all encouraged to do the same.
It’s understood that some of us are joining this call with roommates, spouses or children within earshot, and this may impact what you choose to share or whether you choose to share at all. As always, you are free to pass if you wish.
This meeting is scheduled to last no longer than one hour; I will do my best to help us manage to the allotted time.
Please be aware of the size of the group, so that everyone has the opportunity to share. I will, if needed, give the group a gentle time reminder about halfway through the sharing.
As Chair, since you are muted, I will also acknowledge and thank you on behalf of the entire group. To begin, (________) will share first, followed by (_______).
(Begin the sharing. Be sure to POST the meeting topic and first names of attendees in the CHAT window. )
(When 20 minutes remain, and if time appears to be running short, announce the time.)
We’re about halfway through the time allotted for sharing. As a reminder to the group, this meeting is scheduled to end at (____). This group has voted to allow everyone to have a chance to share before the meeting adjourns, but if you need to leave the call before then, you are welcome to do so. (Resume the sharing.)
(After the sharing, thank everyone who contributed.)
If you are a newcomer or if you have time to enjoy some fellowship, feel free to stay on the line after the meeting and talk to me or any of the other members who can stay behind. We suggest that you attend at least six meetings—not necessarily this one—to see if S.L.A.A. is for you. We strongly urge you to consider finding a sponsor to help you work the program. Please ask me or another experienced member if you have any questions about sponsorship or would like a suggestion for a temporary sponsor.
Chair: Take Up a Collection
In accordance with the Seventh Tradition, we have no dues or fees, but are fully self-supporting though our own contributions. These contributions help pay the rent, provide literature, and support our local Intergroup and Fellowship-Wide Services (FWS).
Please consider going online and making a donation to FWS. The web site address is posted in the chat window.
(Please Post https://slaafws.org/contributionsin CHAT.)
Contributions to this group can be made to Paypal or Venmo at chris12pgh@gmail.com. Label it as the Saturday Morning Meeting.
(Please Post chris12pgh@gmail.com in CHAT.)
This group also assists our intergroup in funding the trip for representatives to the Annual Business Meeting. Please Label the donation “ABM” if you would like the donation to go directly for this.
Thank you for your generosity.
Chair: Announcements
Let’s take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the progress we’ve made in our recovery journey. Is anyone marking an important milestone today, whether it’s one day of sobriety, or a number of weeks, months or years?
Suggested Language: The white chip, also known as the one-day chip, is a token symbolizing our desire to quit living out a pattern of sex and love addiction. Acceptance of the one-day chip signifies our commitment to a day’s sobriety, and carrying the chip is a concrete reminder of that commitment. For those of us who have suffered relapse, taking a one-day chip can represent our renewed commitment to recovery. We also award chips for other periods of time; one week, one month, two months, three months, six months, nine months, 1 year and multiple years.
If you would be willing to accept a phone call or text from another member, I’d ask you now to place your phone number in the chat window.
Are there any SLAA announcements?
May we have a volunteer to run next week’s meeting?
Would someone please read “The Promises?”
Reader: The S.L.A.A. Promises
Now we were truly feeling some sense of deep release from the past! We were free of much guilt for our misdeeds, from the shame of having fallen short of our inner values. In many instances the values we had thought were ours had turned out to be someone else’s, and we had shed or changed these to allow the seeds of our own personal wholeness to take root and grow.
We were indeed living new, positive, unfolding lives, Whether in partnership with others or in solitude, we had truly been granted a spiritual release from our sex and love addiction. While vigilance was still important, the choices we had to make now seemed easier. We felt increasing confidence in our developing partnership with God, and were full participants in the Fellowship of S.L.A.A. We enjoyed solitude and were unafraid of honesty and openness with others. We could comprehend what it means to have dignity of self.
Chair: Close the Meeting
Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize, if we work for them.
This is an anonymous fellowship. Please keep all information, including the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of anyone you meet or learn about in S.L.A.A. to yourselves. As some of our members are in other Twelve Step Programs, it is especially important that their anonymity be protected. What we say here, stays here. We never identify ourselves publicly with S.L.A.A. in the press, radio, television, film, video, or any public or social media, nor does anyone speak for S.L.A.A.
We will close the meeting with the Serenity Prayer; please keep your phones muted.
Chair: The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
The truth is, we feel we are “on to” something big. We don’t know where it will lead us. We just don’t know what the upper limits of healthy human functioning are. In any event, our hunch is that we are but newcomers to this larger experience of living, this wider arena of life. If all we are capable of doing here is to convey to you our sense of hope, and our conviction that a new life of fulfillment, richness and mystery surely awaits you as you move into sobriety, then we are meeting our task.
May each of you, as you embark on this adventure, discover your share of the golden braid; that unfolding wonder of which we are all a part. We are with you. We are all joint travelers on destiny’s path, and we all have much to learn from each other.
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, p. 159
We welcome you and know how you may feel. We hope you find the serenity that we have found through working the program of S.L.A.A. Our meetings are neither sextherapy nor group therapy and offer no treatment of any kind. Rather, our membersshare their experience, strength, and hope in order to stay sober and to help oneanother achieve and maintain sane and fulfilling sex and love lives.
We strive to keep our meetings safe places for everyone to recover – to learn, grow, and share honestly. This is done in a variety of ways, but some of the most important are: only speaking when it’s our turn, not commenting directly or indirectly on another person’s share (we call this “cross talk”), and being mindful of our interactions before and after the meetings. If anyone is approached in a manner that makes them feel uncomfortable please speak with the chair of the meeting or another sober member.
Here are some suggestions for you:
- Pick up and read the beginner’s packet of literature. Conference-approved literature may be found on the table. Beginner’s packets, pamphlets, and meeting lists are free of charge; books and booklets are cost items.
- Obtain phone numbers of experienced members and make at least one call per day in order to discuss the program or sponsorship.
- Ask someone to be your program sponsor or temporary sponsor to help you understand how the program works.
- Practice “getting current” with someone, your sponsor or another sober member. “Getting current” means discussing the events, thoughts, or problems that are troubling us or posing major threats to our sobriety in S.L.A.A. Remember, “We are as sick as our secrets.” If you feel the need to get current, we encourage you to speak with another member or your sponsor immediately following the meeting. Anyone who would be willing to stay after the meeting and talk with newcomers, please raise your hand.
- Attend at least six meetings, not necessarily this one, to decide if S.L.A.A. is for you. A list of meetings is on our website or in a meeting list on our literature table.
Later in the meeting we will have an opportunity for individual sharing. While the sharing will be focused on the day’s topic, we invite you to tell us briefly what behavior brought you to S.L.A.A. if you are comfortable doing so.
We are glad you are with us and we hope that you find comfort in knowing that “YouAre Not Alone.”
Now we were truly feeling some sense of deep release from the past! We were free of much guilt for our misdeeds, from the shame of having fallen short of our inner values. In many instances the values we had thought were ours had turned out to be someone else’s, and we had shed or changed these to allow the seeds of our own personal wholeness to take root and grow.
We were indeed living new, positive, unfolding lives. Whether in partnership with others or in solitude, we had truly been granted a spiritual release from our sex and love addiction. While vigilance was still important, the choices we had to make now seemed easier. We felt increasing confidence in our developing partnership with God, and were full participants in the Fellowship of S.L.A.A. We enjoyed solitude and were unafraid of honesty and openness with others. We could comprehend what it means to have dignity of self.
(Page 95 of the Basic Text)