Saturday, February 22nd
I had no idea what my emotional needs were.
As sexual compulsives, we often had difficulty processing our feelings and turned to compulsive sex as a coping mechanism. While sex seemed like the perfect antidote for these feelings, it could not address the underlying conditions that made us want to escape them in the first place – insecurity, trauma, pain, and fear. Sex gave us a temporary euphoria, a false sense of satisfaction. However, after the effects wore off, the shame around our behaviors compounded our sense of low self-worth.
“After every sexual encounter, I always found the same dark feelings of shame. It was one demoralizing experience after another.”
As we attend meetings, we hear others share their experience, strength, and hope. The details of our stories differ, but we start to identify with the feelings underlying our compulsions, and we learn to shift from negative attitudes toward a new way of living.
By working the Steps and using other recovery tools, we find the courage to face our feelings rather than repress or try to escape them. We can let go of our shame and learn to show compassion for ourselves and others.
We will seek spiritual progress, not perfection.