Sex Addicts Anonymous Meeting ?

Today I have been seriously thinking of taking the jump. The good thing about the online forum is that it does provide some anonymity and privacy. Yet, I want to attack my problems head on and use whatever means to gain control and address not only the symptoms but the root causes as well.

Since yesterday I have been seriously contemplating attending a "Sex Addicts Anonymous" meeting. It's a bit scary because I have held quite high profile positions and am concerned that someone may recognise me. But what the heck!

So, has anyone here combined the 12 steps method of Sex Addicts Anonymous or something similar with the online support system? How has it worked? Pros and cons?

 

Thanks and very much appreciated. It surely has helped.
I think have just about made up my mind and will check one of the groups tomorrow. We have a number of them meeting around the city on different days and times. My plan is to attend another 7 or so them next week and see where I feel more at home. Will let you know after my experience tomorrow.

About sponsorship? Do you have one?

 

Thanks Guys,
I shall go this evening and let you know what I think of the whole experience. I have no desire to stop the online forums since they have been both catalysts and great help in my current journey. Just want to add as a much as possible to my fighting arsenal and do not wish to rely only on one method. I have done so in previous attempts and always failed. I sure that I do not procrastinate this evening or find excuses not to go

 

Been to the Sex Addicts Anonymous Meeting today. Will share my thoughts tomorrow since I need to get to bed now!

 

As promised yesterday here is my report for attending Sex Addicts Anonymous Meeting.
First I was very scared and did not know if I could muster enough courage to go. But I made contact anyway and promised the guy on the phone that I was coming. I arrived a bit earlier than the members and walked around a bit still not sure whether I would see it through. But in the end I decided to go in. To my surprise the room was quite full. There were 18 of them, plus me, 19 in total. They were just normal regular guys you meet on the street, yet very open and laid back. I was made to feel at ease and assured that I did not have to speak if I did not want to. So, I opted for the silence and just observed the meeting. I introduced myself by my first name though. The whole meeting was very open and refreshing. I felt emotional in seeing the honesty that these guys had and the love and support they showed to one another. I liked the way they introduced themselves without shame: " Hi, my name is Joe and I am a sex addict", and everyone will say, "hi Joe". The meeting was very well represented: from some in their 20's, all the way to late sixties and early 70's. I think I will try other groups this coming week and decide which one is best for me. From my initial experience I believe that Sex Addicts Anonymous and doing the 12 steps will be good for me and will help me reboot quicker and maintain my sobriety. So, I am going to combine the nofap forum with regular 12 steps meetings and give myself a strong winning chance. Will keep you updated about my visits of other Sex Addicts Anonymous groups.

 

Sex Addicts Anonymous: Meeting 2
Went to my second one last night. The meeting was encouraging. There were about 30 guys or so from different ages, backgrounds and different walks of life. The sharing was very open and honest and I was impressed by the openness and vulnerability. It was very helpful and am planning to attend another meeting tomorrow.

 

It is really worth it. I have hesitated for years and was afraid and procrastinated for many reasons. I was also reluctant because sex addiction has a broad definition and I did not have the severe symptoms that other sex addicrs have (affairs, exhibitionism, etc). However, I had to put that aside (including my pride) and acknowledge that compulsive porn use and compulsive fap, fantasies, objectivation of women etc... had interfered with my life for very long. An addiction is something that you want to stop but are unable to, something that is interfering with your life. Anyway, I have gone and it has been a great experience (at least for me). Am intending to go again tonight. Am still checking things out and I like the fact that I can just join the meeting without the pressure of sharing or talk about anything. I usually just say my name and that I am there to just check things out. After about 6 meetings I will decide whether I want to join the 12 steps program or not. Right now, attending the meeting is helping me in my resolve and getting through the withdrawal symptoms.

 

My own experience so far has been very positive. Look around the city and you will certainly find several.

 

Sex Addicts Anonymous: Meeting 3

I went to my third SAA meeting today and it was again a great experience. There were even more people in today's group, about 40 or so. There were also a few more women than other meetings, about 8 or so. The whole experience was again very positive for me and the honesty, openness and humility in sharing by both guys and girls was humbling and encouraging.

I also today for the first time introduced myself as a "sex addict". In fact I did it twice. Never thought that I could ever utter those words. "Hi, my name is Tombuktu, and I am a sex addict". I was glad I finally did it. Today I also shared for the first time about my own struggles, my areas of addictions and my hope and plan for recovery.

I left the place feeling way much better than when I went in despite my withdrawal symptoms. My urges are still there but a bit more manageable.

My verdict so far, SAA is worth it, at least for me. Tomorrow I am going to another group meeting in a different part of the city. I have now determined to go to a meeting the whole of this week. After that I will decide which day suits me best and which group to make my main one.

Still cannot believe it: "Hi, my name is Tombuktu, and I am sex addict"

 

I am not at liberty to speak about the things that were spoken in the group because SAA fellowships depend on the respect of privacy and anonymity. However the percentage of PMO addicts seem to be quite high , above 50% actually (majority).

 

Sex Addicts Anonymous: Meeting 4

This week I was planning to attend a meeting a day, 7 in all. But yesterday due to poor planning I missed going to the meeting so was very keen to make today's.

Today's meeting was in a different part of the city and took me a bit longer to get there: a bus, train and underground. But it was great to go and encouraging to see that, like me other guys seem to be going to meetings regularly at different locations.

The meeting was a bit smaller than the last two I attended. There were about 14 of us, all guys, from different age groups, backgrounds and walks of life. The atmosphere was great and there was such a great spirit of acceptance. One young guy (20 something)did most of the sharing tonight and told us about his story and his history of addiction: causes and consequences. It was moving and I could relate to most of what he was saying.

Tonight I was also asked to do one of the readings and I have been feeling more and more part of the fellowship. I made a mistake and started reading before doing the intro. I realised that, stopped, laughed briefly and said: "Hi, my name is Tombuktu and I am sex addict", and everyone said "Hi, Tombuktu". It really feels like a real family and people accept each other just as they are. Some came tonight having been sober for a good while, others having just acted few days ago. Yes, everyone was loved and accepted.

Today I also purchased the green book of "Sex Addicts Anonymous" for my kindle.

I still have two more meetings to go before I decide whether this programme is for me. But as things stand I am feeling more at home and am able to share freely now. Tomorrow I am definitely going to the meeting