Sunday, August 2nd

I found escape and excitement through sex. But I felt more and more like a stranger to myself.

For many of us, sexually compulsive behavior can distract us from feelings of shame and low self-esteem. Yet, these behaviors usually fail to relieve the disappointment and unhappiness we may experience in daily living. Our search for some healing connection often feels urgent and desperate.

“I had no power to stop. Even though I screamed at myself inside, I did it anyway.”

As we attend SCA meetings, we may hear messages of hope, as outlined in the Twelve Steps and fleshed out by other members’ shares. Perhaps we might initially be skeptical about how Twelve Step recovery can help us change our behaviors.

But we might recall the slogan: It’s a simple program for complicated people. We can experience affirmation and hope through working the Steps and using the Tools. Many find simplicity and clarity by adopting the acronym H.O.W. — Honesty, Openness, and Willingness. Using these precepts, we learn that recovery is an affirming process, not a judgment or punishment.

In recovery, we begin to express — not repress — our emotions, show compassion, ask for help, and help others.

Over time, our lives improve as we continue to embrace recovery as a way of life.