- Sex Addicts Anonymous
-
Not to be confused with Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous or Sexaholics Anonymous.
Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) is an organization that describes itself as providing a twelve-step program for recovery from what it calls sex addiction. SAA was founded in 1977 by several men who wanted a greater sense of anonymity than what they perceived in other twelve step programs for sex addicts. SAA is open to anyone who desires greater control over their behavior, and is intended to be safe for people of all sexual orientations.[1] There also exists a group called COSA, for family members of SAA members; it is described as analogous to Al-Anon for family members of AAA.[2]
Some SAA groups screen new members before giving them meetings times or locations. There is a specific questionnaire that can be used to determine if a potential member is likely a sex addict. [3] This questionnaire, with slight modifications so that it could be used experimentally, was able to correctly differentiate self-identified sex addicts and court-determined sex offenders from a control group. When completing the questionnaire males more often perceive themselves as sexually compulsive, but score lower (show less signs of sexual addiction), on average, than females.[4]
In SAA each member creates a unique definition of "sexual sobriety" based on abstaining from a personalized list of compulsive sexual behaviors. Members are encouraged to respect each other's definitions of sobriety. Many SAA members use a "three circle" concept to model their behaviors. The inner circle represents the compulsive sexual behaviors that must not be practiced. Inner circle behaviors might include having sex with a prostitute, or acting out with a nonconsensual victim. The outer circle includes sexual and nonsexual behaviors that are definitely healthy. Outer circle behaviors might include sex with a partner in a monogamous relationship or getting eight hours of sleep a night. In the middle circle are behaviors that are not considered a relapse (inner circle behaviors), but could quickly lead to one if left unchecked. Middle circle behaviors might include looking for a prostitute or contacting an old acting out victim.[1]
In addition to regular meetings SAA also organizes "boundary meetings." These are special meetings for professional caregivers such as medical doctors, psychotherapists, and clergy who need to attend meetings separate from clients, patients, and parishioners.[5]
SAA members are likely to have a history of sexual abuse during their childhood, and more substance abuse problems than control groups.[6][7] SAA publishes the book Sex Addicts Anonymous. It is widely used in SAA and has been officially approved as their basic text by the ISO of SAA, Inc Literature Committee. It has not yet gained the approval of the annual conference of group delegates.[8]
Contents
Sponsors
A sponsor is a member that has been part of the program for a large period of time and has attained a desirable level of sex sobriety. These individuals will help new members by offering a more personal level of availability in order to answer questions when needed. Usually, newcomers will find a proper sponsor after attending a few meetings taking in consideration the level of comfortability between the new member and the old one, but if a good relationship is attained, the new attendee will continue to be guided by this person.
COSA
COSA is a recovery program for family or friends whose lives have been affected by someone else's compulsive sexual behavior. Each COSA member may choose to define him/herself as a codependent of sexual addiction, as a co-sex addict, or simply as a member of COSA, according to his or her own personal experience and conscience.[9]
See also
- Hypersexuality
- List of twelve-step groups
- Sexaholics Anonymous
- Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
- Sexual Compulsives Anonymous
References
- ^ a b Parker, Jan; Guest, Diana (2002). "Chapter 8: Integration of Psychotherapy and 12-Step Programs". In Adams, Kenneth; Carnes, Patrick J.. Clinical Management of Sex Addiction. New York: Psychology Press. pp. 115–124. ISBN 1583913610. OCLC 49312705.
- ^ COSA (2007-12-08). "Welcome to COSA". http://www.cosa-recovery.org/home.html. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
- ^ Sex Addicts Anonymous (2010-11-09). "Self Assessment". http://saa-recovery.org/IsSAAForYou/SelfAssessment/. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
- ^ Mercer, Jeffery T. (1998). "Assessment of The Sex Addicts Anonymous Questionnaire: Differentiating Between The General Population, Sex Addicts, and Sex Offenders". Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity 5 (2): 107–117. doi:10.1080/10720169808400153. OCLC 28832950.
- ^ Birchard, Thaddeus (2004). "'The snake and the seraph' - sexual addiction and religious behavior". Counselling Psychology Quarterly 17 (1): 81–88. doi:10.1080/09515070410001665703. OCLC 18582175.
- ^ Hunter, Mic (1990). "Chapter 4: Life Areas Affected by Childhood Sexual Abuse". Abused Boys: The Neglected Victims of Sexual Abuse. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books. pp. 59–92. ISBN 0669208663. OCLC 246877991.
- ^ Plant, Moira; Miller, Patrick; Plant, Marting (2004). "Childhood and Adult Sexual Abuse: Relationships with Alcohol and other Psychoactive Drug Use". Child Abuse Review 13 (3): 200–214. doi:10.1002/car.845.
- ^ Sex Addicts Anonymous (2005). Sex Addicts Anonymous. International Service Organization of SAA. ISBN 0976831317. OCLC 247995491.
- ^ About the COSA Acronym, Steps, and Traditions. COSA. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
External links
- Sex Addicts Anonymous
- COSA
- Works by or about Sex Addicts Anonymous in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
Categories:- Human sexuality organizations
- Twelve-step programs
- Non-profit organizations based in Texas
- Organizations established in 1977
- International non-profit organizations
- Sexual addiction
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