Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA)

Key Takeaways

• A Safe Harbor: SAA is a judgment-free fellowship based on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, adapted for sex addiction.
• Confidentiality First: Anonymity is the spiritual foundation, ensuring a safe space to share without fear of exposure.
• Defining Sobriety: Unlike alcohol programs (total abstinence), SAA helps members define their own “sexual sobriety” (boundaries) based on what behaviors are destructive to them.
• Peer Support: Recovery relies on “sponsorship” and group meetings to break the cycle of isolation and shame.
• Inclusive: SAA is open to all genders and orientations; the only requirement is a desire to stop addictive sexual behavior.

What Is Sex Addicts Anonymous?

Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) is a 12-step program designed to help individuals who feel their sexual behaviors have become compulsive and unmanageable. While “sex addiction” is the term used within the fellowship, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognizes the condition as Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD).

SAA was founded in the late 1970s, inspired by the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It provides a supportive community for individuals seeking recovery from unhealthy patterns of sexual behavior, regardless of the specific nature of those behaviors.

The fellowship functions globally through the ISO of SAA (International Service Organization), which handles literature and outreach. At the local level, a regional intergroup often coordinates meeting schedules and events to support the community.

The Label “Sex Addict”

Similar to other 12-step programs, the term “sex addict” is used within Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) as a form of direct self-identification, not necessarily as a clinical diagnosis. Many members come to the program after their addictive behavior has resulted in severe consequences, such as divorce, job loss, or even legal problems.

For members, admitting “I am a sex addict” is a crucial part of the First Step. This act signifies an acknowledgment of powerlessness over compulsive sexual behavior and helps break through denial. While the term can be stigmatizing in the outside world, the SAA fellowship reclaims it as a statement of acceptance and the starting point for a shared journey toward recovery.

SAA vs. Other Fellowships (SLAA, SA)

It is common to be confused by the different “S” fellowships. While they share the 12 Steps, their definitions of sobriety differ:

• SAA (Sex Addicts Anonymous): The most flexible definition of sobriety. You work with a sponsor to define your own “Three Circles” (inner-circle behaviors to avoid, middle-circle triggers, and outer-circle healthy behaviors).
• SLAA (Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous): Focuses heavily on the emotional/relational aspect (“love addiction”) alongside the sexual compulsion.
• SA (Sexaholics Anonymous): Has a stricter, more traditional definition of sobriety, typically defined as sex only within a heterosexual marriage.

Sex Addicts Anonymous Goals and Principles

Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) aims to help individuals break free from the cycle of compulsive sexual behaviors and achieve lasting recovery. By fostering a supportive and understanding environment, the program empowers members to rebuild their lives.

The primary goals of SAA include:

• Achieving Sexual Sobriety: Members work toward defining and maintaining sexual sobriety based on personal boundaries (the “Three Circles”) that support their recovery journey.
• Carrying the Message: A core principle of Step 12 is carrying the message of recovery to the sex addict who still suffers, ensuring that help is available to those in need.
• Building Healthy Connections: SAA encourages members to form supportive relationships with others in recovery, offering mutual encouragement and accountability.
• Restoring Balance in Life: The program helps individuals cultivate healthier coping mechanisms and rebuild damaged relationships.

The Clinical Bridge: Why The 12 Steps Work

From a psychological perspective, SAA works by addressing attachment and shame. Addiction thrives in isolation. By sharing secrets in a safe group (exposure therapy), the brain’s shame response is gradually desensitized.

Furthermore, the “fellowship” provides a healthy dopamine source (social connection) to replace the unhealthy one (compulsive sex), thereby aiding neuroplasticity.

The Twelve Steps of Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA)

The 12 steps of SAA serve as a guideline for personal growth, self-reflection, and spiritual healing. They are adapted from AA but focused on sexual compulsivity.

1. We admitted we were powerless over addictive sexual behavior—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 doing 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 God as we understood God, 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 other sex addicts and to practice these principles in our lives.

Sex Addicts Anonymous Meetings

SAA meetings provide a crucial source of support.

Whether someone is just beginning their journey or has been in recovery for years, meetings offer a sense of community that is instrumental in maintaining sobriety.

What to Expect at a SAA Meeting

Walking into your first meeting can be intimidating, but knowing the format helps. SAA meetings are LGBTQ-inclusive and welcome people of all backgrounds.

• The Format: Meetings typically last 60 minutes. A chairperson reads an opening statement, followed by a reading of the 12 Steps.
• The Disclaimer: You will often hear a standard disclaimer that SAA is not affiliated with any sect, denomination, political party, organization, or institution.
• Sharing: Members take turns sharing their experiences (“check-ins”). You do not have to speak. You can say, “I’m just listening today.”
• Anonymity: You typically introduce yourself by first name only. “Cross-talk” (interrupting or giving direct advice) is forbidden to ensure safety.
• Cost: There are no dues or fees. A basket is passed for voluntary donations (usually $1-2), but newcomers are not expected to pay.

Sponsorship

A key part of the SAA program is sponsorship. A sponsor is a member with more experience in recovery who guides a newer member through the Twelve Steps.

This one-on-one relationship provides personal support, accountability, and a direct connection to someone who understands the recovery process without judgment.

How to Find a SAA Meeting Near You

Finding a meeting is the first action step toward recovery.

• Visit the SAA Official Website: The SAA meeting directory allows you to search for in-person, online, or phone meetings by zip code.
• Explore Online/Telemeetings: For those who need extra privacy or live in remote areas, electronic meetings (Zoom or phone) are available 24/7.
• Local Resources: Many addiction treatment centers can provide a printed list of local SAA chapters.

Get Help for Sex Addiction

If you or someone you care about is struggling with **sexual addiction** or co-occurring **substance abuse**, professional help is available alongside 12-step support. The SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) offers a confidential, **toll-free** referral service 24/7.

You can also visit our Find Treatment Help page to locate therapists and recovery centers near you.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.