Introduction to SLAA and Recovery
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) is a Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition oriented fellowship based on the model pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous. The only qualification for SLAA membership is a desire to stop living out a pattern of sex and love addiction and recover from its impacts. SLAA is supported entirely through the contributions of its membership and is free to all who need it. The SLAA program provides a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and connect with others who understand their struggles with sex and love addiction. Individuals who have decided to seek help can find hope and support in SLAA. SLAA is a tradition-oriented fellowship based on the principles of the 12 Steps and the 12 Traditions, welcoming individuals of all ages, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
History and Origins of SLAA
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) was founded in 1976 in Boston, Massachusetts, as a Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition oriented fellowship. Inspired by the model pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), SLAA was created to help individuals recover from sex and love addiction. The fellowship is open to anyone who has a desire to stop living out a pattern of sex and love addiction, with the only qualification for membership being this desire to recover.
SLAA is a self-help program rooted in the principles of anonymity, unity, and service. It aims to help individuals develop healthy boundaries and overcome destructive relationships. The fellowship’s origins trace back to the Augustine Fellowship, established in the 1970s to support those struggling with sex and love addiction.
Since its inception, SLAA has grown into a global fellowship, with meetings and members worldwide. It is recognized as a leading organization in the field of sex and love addiction recovery. The SLAA program is based on the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, providing a structured framework for individuals to work through their addiction and build healthier relationships with themselves and others.
SLAA is a non-judgmental and supportive community that welcomes individuals of all backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. It offers a safe space for members to share their experiences and work towards recovery. The fellowship provides a range of resources, including meetings, literature, and service opportunities, to support individuals in achieving long-term sobriety and a more fulfilling life.
Introduction to the Condition
Sex and love addiction is a complex and deeply personal condition that affects individuals from all walks of life, including sex and love addicts. It is characterized by a pattern of behavior that involves the compulsive pursuit of sex and love, often leading to negative consequences, which is a key aspect of love addiction. This condition can manifest in various ways, including excessive sexual behavior, obsessive thinking about sex or love, and a tendency to form destructive relationships, often driven by fantasy addiction.
Underlying factors such as low self-esteem, fear of intimacy, and a history of trauma can contribute to sex and love addiction, sometimes resulting in emotional anorexia. Individuals struggling with this addiction may experience feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation, regardless of their sexual orientation, making it difficult for them to seek help and support from love addicts anonymous.
However, with the right treatment and support, it is possible for individuals to overcome sex and love addiction and develop healthier, more fulfilling relationships, which is the goal of the SLAA program. The first step towards recovery is acknowledging the problem and seeking help, which can involve attending meetings and working with a sponsor as part of a twelve-step-oriented fellowship.
A twelve-step program, such as the one offered by Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), provides a supportive and structured environment for individuals to work through their issues and develop greater self-awareness, based on the model pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous. By working through the twelve steps and traditions, individuals can develop the tools and strategies they need to manage their addiction and build stronger, healthier relationships, which is the focus of fellowship-wide services.
Recovery from sex and love addiction is a journey that requires patience, commitment, and support, but it is possible for individuals to achieve long-term sobriety and live a more fulfilling life, free from the grip of addiction.
Understanding the Addiction
Sex and love addiction is a pattern of behavior characterized by compulsive and obsessive thinking and acting, often leading to feelings of shame, guilt, and anxiety.
Love addicts may confuse love with physical and sexual attraction, or intimacy, and often have few healthy boundaries in their relationships.
Sex and love addiction can lead to destructive relationships, emotional anorexia, and a fear of abandonment or intimacy.
Individuals struggling with sex and love addiction may experience a range of negative emotions, including loneliness, stress, guilt, and anger.
The 40 Questions for Self-Diagnosis can help individuals identify potential signs of sex and love addiction and determine if SLAA is right for them by considering the support and unity offered by the group. SLAA welcomes individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
The SLAA program highlights the promises associated with recovery, emphasizing the transformational impact it can have on individuals who commit to following its guidelines.
Getting Involved and Finding Support
SLAA meetings are available for those seeking support and guidance in recovery from sex and love addiction, providing a safe space for sharing and support. SLAA hosts various events and retreats for members, including the Spring Retreat 2025, which focuses on Level II Emotional Sobriety. For more details and registration, visit the retreat website.
Meetings are a crucial part of the SLAA program and are available in-person and virtually, with a list of virtual meetings available on the SLAA website. These groups provide a supportive environment for recovery.
The SLAA program also offers literature, sponsorship, and fellowship-wide services to support individuals in their recovery journey. It is important to maintain confidentiality and respect what members hear during meetings.
Newcomers can attend an SLAA meeting to learn how to get sober and maintain recovery, and can contact the SLAA membership for support and guidance.
The SLAA Basic Text is essential literature for starting and staying with the program, and provides a comprehensive guide to the Twelve Step program and the principles of SLAA.