ESSAY Magazine (An International Journal of Sexaholics Anonymous)
The Essay Podcast is the audio companion to ESSAY Magazine, an international journal published by Sexaholics Anonymous. It features readings and discussions of articles from the magazine, focusing on recovery from sex addiction. The podcast provides support and insights for individuals in the SA program.
Episodes
ESSAY June 2026 - Editor’s Corner - The ESSAY Editorial Team, essay@sa.org
In this edition, we will explore the world of the Three Legacies. What are the Steps, Traditons, and Concepts, and how do they promise recovery, unity, and service? While each legacy is different, all three are equally important for individuals, groups, and SA as a whole. Members will share their experience, strength, and hope, which aims to shed light on this theme.
ESSAY June 2026 - What’s Going On in SA - Volker B., Germany
SIP and TRADITION 11: Attraction or Promotion?
A closer look at the Traditions helps groups and committees discern whether they are in the problem or the solution.
SIP (Support for Institutions and Professionals) committee members sometimes get asked the question: Is SIP work attraction or promotion?
ESSAY June 2026 - A World Without the Steps - Abdelbarie E., Tétouan, Morocco
When he acts in God’s will, the world is forever changed.
At the Mayflower Hotel, Bill feels the craving for a drink slowly rising in his mind. Without the slightest resistance, Bill gives in to the insane idea. He walks toward the hotel bar and orders a glass of gin—then another, and another. His allergy plays its final hand. A week later, Bill dies from alcohol poisoning.
ESSAY June 2026 - The Twelve Traditions: The Backbone of SA - Kathie S., Devon, UK
The Traditions allow the Fellowship to exist in order to carry the message of recovery.
The Twelve Traditions are the foundation of SA life, and deserve full attention. Without them, factions, personalities, outside interests, and money would easily destroy us. It is the Traditions, formed with much trial and error by AA, and adapted for SA, which keep us safe from these pressures and free us to c
ESSAY June 2026 - Thriving in the Traditions - Vince G., Canada
He and his group could survive and thrive with the Traditions.
The Twelve Traditions of SA are a vital adjunct to the Twelve Steps of SA. While the Twelve Steps help the individual sexaholic recover and enjoy life, the Twelve Traditions help SA groups survive and thrive. As my grand sponsor colorfully described it, “The Twelve Steps help prevent sexaholics from committing suicide, while the Twelve
ESSAY June 2026 - The Traditions and Concepts Are Vital Boundaries - Anonymous
She learned that she is safe and protected within the boundaries of the Traditions and Concepts.
I serve in an SA group and on an SA Trustee committee. I’ve learned that the Concepts and Traditions are boundaries that not only protect people from me but also protect me from people. These boundaries, the Traditions and Concepts, tell me where a group or person ends and where I begin. When I break o
ESSAY June 2026 - Concept Three: Listen, Discern, Decide - Anonymous
His “right of decision” comes with the responsibility to listen to God and others before deciding.
Concept 3: “To ensure effective leadership, we should endow each element of [SA’s] service structure, the General Delegate Assembly, and the Board of Trustees and its staffs and Committees with a traditional ‘Right of Decision‘” (Service Manual ch. 1 p. 3).
ESSAY June 2026 - The Myths of Service in a Fellowship of Men and Women - Susie B., Idaho, USA
Calling out the myths in service helps her to identify what is true.
My sponsors taught me that service is essential to my recovery and that I cannot completely work the Steps without it. Working together in service gives me a rare opportunity to put my program into action. Recovery is about healing relationships, and that occurs in the small everyday interactions. Recovery is in the small stuff.
ESSAY June 2026 - My Three Legacies Compass - Laura W., Florida, USA
Practicing recovery, unity, and service daily set her on a course to a fulfilling new life.
“Always look at the Three Legacies (recovery, unity, and service) to see how you are doing in your recovery. What are your weak spots? What are your strengths?” I learned this from an SA member six years ago when I began attending a mixed meeting. I have never forgotten it.
ESSAY June 2026 - The First Requirement for Step Three - Luke H., Oregon, USA
The conviction that wrongdoers are very sick helps show their behavior is not personal.
Page 60 of the AA Big Book states that the first requirement (for Step Three) is that we be convinced that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success. I have seen this as the foundation for the decision to turn my will and life over to the care of God. I just recently came to see another huge significan
ESSAY June 2026 - The Traditions Keep Us Together - Kelly L., Florida
She learned how the Traditions keep the group healthy and unified.
When I started my recovery journey, my original home group met seven days a week, and we studied a Tradition every Wednesday. As my sponsor recommended that I go to the meeting every day, regardless of the topic, I was always there.
Some of the long-time members would speak about their experience, strength, and hope with whatever
ESSAY June 2026 - Who’s Responsible? - Anonymous
This series covers how vital each concept is for our world services to function.
The “Twelve Concepts for World Service” were written by Bill W. in 1962. Sexaholics Anonymous has adopted these concepts as guides for our service structure. The Twelve Concepts of Sexaholics Anonymous are presented here. The essays that follow are intended to expound upon these simple statements, based on the exper
ESSAY June 2026 - Experiencing the Twelve Promises - Peter M., New York, USA
Through his program, God gave him the promises he never thought possible.
“Working my program” and staying committed to the SA fellowship fosters a stronger, more focused inner life for me. By working my SA program, I am developing the humility and maturity necessary to trudge the “Road of Happy Destiny” each day.
As I experience each day of sobriety, I find the changes in my life very satisfying
ESSAY June 2026 - The Basic Foundation - SA Service Manual
The following is an excerpt that was recently added to our SA Service Manual.
“The three legacies of Sexaholics Anonymous are Recovery, Unity, and Service. These legacies are the basic foundation of our fellowship. The Twelve Steps of SA are our suggested path to Recovery. The Twelve Traditions of SA are the suggested path to Unity within the fellowship. The Twelve Concepts of SA are the suggested
ESSAY June 2026 - Embracing Concepts Ten and Eleven - Jack H., PIC Trustee liaison
These concepts keep committees on task while protecting them from personalities.
Concept 10: Every service responsibility should be matched by an equal service authority, with scope of such authority well defined. (Step Into Action 214)
A committee’s responsibility is stated in its mission statement. It’s easy to forget our purpose and carry on the way business is done in the corporate world.
ESSAY June 2026 - Hope, Live in Hope - The Recovery Ramblers
(Instrumental Break)
Hope, live in hope, Surrender, ask for help, let it go
Hope, live in hope, Surrender, ask for help, let it go
I’ll make a call, I’ll say a prayer. I’ll ask for help and leave lust there.
Hope, live in hope, Surrender, ask for help, let it go
Serve the meeting, be the Chair. Serve the coffee, make a share.
Hope, live in hope, Surrender, ask for help, let it go
Read
ESSAY June 2026 - Serenity: Steps Four Through Seven - Juan E., Murica, Spain
Being rid of anger through the Steps allowed him to experience peace and hope.
Although I was sober, serenity seemed to elude me in my SA recovery. It wasn’t until I wrote my Step Four inventory that I discovered why: I was still an angry person. I had surrendered my
desire to lust, but I was still waging a war of anger against my spouse, my coworkers, my friends, and anyone who didn’t see things
ESSAY June 2026 - The Arabic ESSAY Translators’ Journey - Arabic ESSAY Translation Group
A need to step forward and serve with integrity led to the creation of a spiritual bridge between the Arabic-speaking community and ESSAY.
In the middle of 2022, our journey began not with a grand plan, but with a quiet realization between two fellows. We saw a gap that felt like a canyon: the life-giving words of the ESSAY magazine were largely locked away in English, leaving many of our Arabic-
ESSAY June 2026 - The Miracle of the Fourth and Fifth Steps - Mac M., Florida, USA
Deliverance and acceptance came after giving away Step Four in Step Five.
Three months into recovery, I felt a powerful, almost irresistible urge to undertake the Fourth and Fifth Steps. I believe it was a moment of grace—a call from God directing me toward a long-overdue reckoning with my past addictive behavior.
At the time, I was attending a daily phone meeting and one in-person meeting each we
ESSAY June 2026 - SA CFC - Derek H., Massachusetts, USA
Finding a Higher Power through the Steps made him a kinder person.
I’ve been incarcerated for over four years now, and I will spend 13 more years in prison because I let my sex addiction take over my life. For about a year after my arrest, I was too numb and scared to address my problems. I doubted that I could change the negative stigma associated with me.
ESSAY June 2026 - Hope Elevated - Dave E., Vice Chair Denver Hope International 2026
The 2026 SA, S-Anon, S-Ateen International Convention will be an uplifting time where the members will be immersed in hope, recovery, and fellowship.
Have you been to Colorado in July? The 2026 International SA, S-Anon, S-Ateen will be held in Denver, Colorado, on July 17-19. You are cordially invited to join us! Our theme is Hope Elevated, and the Mile High City is the perfect location to experie
ESSAY June 2026 - Coming Next
Our next edition’s theme is “Raising Our Hand: Sharing in Meetings”. The White Book tells us that we don’t come into an SA meeting to broaden our horizons with knowledge on more ways to act out. At the same time, newcomers need to hear enough of the problem to know if SA is right for them. What is the healthy balance between the two?
יוני 2026 חיבור - המסורות והמושגים הם גבולות חיוניים - אנונימית
אני משרתת בקבוצת SA ובוועדת נאמנים של SA. למדתי שעקרונות השירות והמסורות הם גבולות שאינם רק מגנים על אנשים מפניי, אלא גם מגנים עליי מפני אנשים. גבולות אלו, המסורות והמושגים, מסמנים לי היכן מסתיימת קבוצה או אדם והיכן אני מתחילה. כשאני חוצה את אחד הגבולות הללו, אני נחסמת על ידי ה"עצמי" (האגו) שלי בדרך כלשהי, והשירות לאחרים נפגע. הצעדים עוזרים לי להשתחרר מחסימות, לעשות תיקונים כשצריך, ולהתחבר מחדש
יוני 2026 חיבור - בעולם בלי הצעדים - עבדאלבארי א׳, טטואן, מרוקו
כשהוא פועל לפי רצון אלוהים, העולם משתנה לנצח
במלון מייפלאוואר, ביל מרגיש את התשוקה למשקה עולה לאט בתוך מחשבתו. בלי שמץ של התנגדות, הוא נכנע לרעיון המטורף. הוא הולך אל הבר של המלון ומזמין כוס ג׳ין — ואז עוד אחת, ועוד אחת. האלרגיה שלו עושה את המהלך האחרון שלה. שבוע לאחר מכן, ביל מת מהרעלת אלכוהול
יוני 2026 חיבור - לשגשג בדרך המסורות - וינס ג, קנדה
הוא והקבוצה שלו הצליחו לשרוד ולשגשג באמצעות המסורות
שתים עשרה המסורות של SA הן תוספת חיונית לשניים עשר הצעדים של SA. בעוד שניים עשר הצעדים עוזרים לסקסוהליסט היחיד להחלים ולהנות מהחיים, שתיים עשרה המסורות עוזרות לקבוצות SA לשרוד ולשגשג. כמו שתיאר זאת הסבא ספונסר שלי באופן ציורי: "שניים עשר הצעדים עוזרים למנוע מהסקסוהליסט ליטול את חייו, בעוד שתיים עשרה המסורות מונעות מאיתנו ליטול את חייהם של אחרים
יוני 2026 חיבור - 12 המסורות: עמוד השדרה של אס איי - קאתי ס', דאבון, הממלכה המאוחדת
המסורות מאפשרות חברותא להתקיים על מנת לשאת את מסר ההחלמה
שתים-עשרה המסורות הינן אבן היסוד של חיי אס איי, וראויות לתשומת לב מלאה. בלעדיהן, פלגים, אישיות, אינטרסים חיצוניים וכסף יהרסו אותנו בקלות. אלו הן המסורות, שנוצרו באמצעות הרבה ניסוי וטעייה באיי איי, ואומצו עבור אס איי, ששומרות אותנו מאותם לחצים, ומשחררות אותנו להתרכז בחיי ההחלמה והשירות שלנו
יוני 2026 חיבור - העקרון השלישי: להקשיב, להבחין, להחליט - אנונימי
עקרון 3: “כדי להבטיח מנהיגות יעילה, עלינו להעניק לכל גורם במבנה השירות של SA, לאספת הנציגים הכללית, לחבר הנאמנים, לצוותיו ולוועדותיו, ‘זכות החלטה’ מסורתית (מדריך השירות, פרק 1, עמ’ 3)
יוני 2026 חיבור - מיתוסים על השירות בקבוצות של גברים ונשים - סוזי ב', איידהו, ארצות הברית
הצבעה על המיתוסים בשירות עוזרת לה לזהות מהי האמת
הספונסרים שלי לימדו אותי שהשירות הוא חיוני להחלמה שלי, ושאינני יכולה לעבוד את הצעדים במלואם בלעדיו. עבודה משותפת בשירות מעניקה לי הזדמנות נדירה להוציא את התוכנית שלי אל הפועל. החלמה עוסקת בריפוי מערכות יחסים, וזה קורה ביחסי גומלין היומיומיים הקטנים. ההחלמה נמצאת בדברים הקטנים
مقال يونيو 2026 - خرافات الخدمة في زمالة من الرجال والنساء - سوزي ب.، أيداهو، الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية
كشف خرافات الخدمة يساعدها على أن تميز ما هو حقيقي
علمتني موجهتي أن الخدمة أساسية لتعافيّ، وأنني لا أستطيع تطبيق الخطوات بشكل كامل من دونها. إن العمل معاً في الخدمة يمنحني فرصة نادرة لأضع برنامجي موضع التنفيذ. التعافي يدور حول شفاء العلاقات، وهذا يحدث في التفاعلات اليومية الصغيرة. التعافي يكمن في التفاصيل الصغيرة
مقال يونيو 2026 - المفهوم الثالث: استمع، مَيِّز، قَرِّر - مجهول
يأتي "حق اتخاذ القرار" مصحوبًا بمسؤولية الاستماع إلى الرب والآخرين قبل اتخاذ القرار
المفهوم 3: "لضمان قيادة فعالة، ينبغي لنا أن نمنح كل عنصر من عناصر الهيكل الخدمي لـ [س.م.]، والجمعية العامة للمندوبين، ومجلس الأمناء وموظفيه ولجانه 'حق اتخاذ القرار' التقليدي" (دليل الخدمة الفصل 1، ص 3)
مقال يونيو 2026 - القواعد والمفاهيم هي حدود حيوية - مجهول
لقد تعلمتْ أنها آمنة ومحمية داخل حدود القواعد والمفاهيم
أنا أخدم في مجموعة س.م وفي إحدى لجان أمناء س.م. ولقد تعلمت أن المفاهيم والقواعد هي حدود لا تحمي الآخرين مني فحسب، بل تحميني أنا أيضًا من الآخرين. هذه الحدود، القواعد والمفاهيم، توضح لي أين تنتهي المجموعة أو ينتهي الشخص الآخر وأين أبدأ أنا. وعندما أخترق أحد هذه الحدود، فإنني الذات تمنعني بطريقة ما، وتتضرر خدمة الآخرين. وتساعدني الخطوات على
مقال يونيو 2026 - الازدهار في ظل القواعد - فينس ج.، كندا
لقد تمكن هو ومجموعته من البقاء والازدهار في ظل القواعد
إن القواعد الاثنتا عشرة لزمالة "سكساهولك المجهولين" هي مكمل حيوي للخطوات الاثنتي عشرة للزمالة. وفي حين تساعد الخطوات الاثنتا عشرة السكساهولك الفرد على التعافي والاستمتاع بالحياة، فإن القواعد الاثنتا عشرة تساعد مجموعات الزمالة على البقاء والازدهار. وكما وصفها موجهي الأكبر بطريقة معبّرة : "تساعد الخطوات الاثنتا عشرة في منع السكساهولك من الانتح
مقال يونيو 2026 - القواعد الاثنتا عشرة: العمود الفقري لـ س.م - كاثي س.، ديفون، المملكة المتحدة
تسمح القواعد الاثنتا عشرة للزمالة بالوجود من أجل حمل رسالة التعافي
إن القواعد الاثنتا عشرة هي أساس حياة س.م، وتستحق الاهتمام الكامل. فبدونها، سوف تدمرنا الانقسامات، والشخصيات، والمصالح الخارجية، والأموال بسهولة. إن القواعد، التي شكلتها م.م عبر الكثير من التجربة والخطأ وتم تكييفها لـ س.م، هي التي تبقينا آمنين من هذه الضغوط وتفرغنا للتركيز على تعافينا وخدمتنا
مقال يونيو 2026 - عالم بلا خطوات - عبد الباري ع.، تطوان، المغرب
عندما يتصرف وفقًا لمشيئة الله، يتغير العالم إلى الأبد
في فندق زهرة مايو Mayflower، يشعر بيل بشهوة للشرب تتسلل ببطء إلى عقله. ودون أدنى مقاومة، يستسلم بيل للفكرة الجنونية؛ يتوجه نحو حانة الفندق ويطلب كأسًا من الجين—ثم كأسًا آخر، وآخر. وتلعب حساسيته ورقتها الأخيرة، ليموت بيل بعد أسبوع بسبب التسمم بالكحول
ESSAY June 2026 - Las Doce Tradiciones: La columna vertebral de SA - Kathie S., Devon, Reino Unido
Las Tradiciones permiten que la fraternidad exista para transmitir el mensaje de recuperación.
Las Doce Tradiciones son el fundamento de la vida en SA y merecen toda nuestra atención. Sin ellas, las facciones, las personalidades, los intereses externos y el dinero nos destruirían fácilmente. Son las Tradiciones, desarrolladas tras muchos ensayos y errores por AA y adaptadas para SA, las que nos pr
ESSAY June 2026 - Mejorando con las tradiciones - Vince G., Canadá
Él y su grupo podrían sobrevivir y progresar con las Tradiciones.
Las Doce Tradiciones de SA son un complemento vital a los Doce Pasos de SA. Mientras que los Doce Pasos ayudan al sexólico como individuo a recuperarse y disfrutar de la vida, las Doce Tradiciones ayudan a los grupos de SA a sobrevivir y prosperar. Como describió de forma colorida el padrino de mi padrino: "¡Los Doce Pasos ayudan a
ESSAY June 2026 - Las Tradiciones y los Conceptos Son Límites Fundamentales - Anónimo
Ella aprendió que está segura y protegida dentro de los límites de las Tradiciones y los Conceptos.
Sirvo en un grupo de SA y en un comité de Custodios de SA. He aprendido que los Conceptos y las Tradiciones son límites que no solo protegen a las personas de mí, sino que también me protegen a mí de las personas. Estos límites, las Tradiciones y los Conceptos, me indican dónde termina un grupo o un
ESSAY June 2026 - Un mundo sin pasos - Abdelbarie E., Tetuán, Marruecos
Cuando él actúa según la voluntad de Dios, el mundo cambia para siempre.
En el Hotel Mayflower, Bill siente que el deseo de beber crece lentamente en su mente. Sin la menor resistencia, Bill cede a la idea descabellada. Camina hacia el bar del hotel y pide un vaso de ginebra, luego otro, y otro más. Su alergia juega su última carta. Una semana después, Bill muere por intoxicación etílica.
ESSAY June 2026 - Concepto Tres: Escuchar, Discernir, Decidir - Anónimo
Su “derecho de decisión” conlleva la responsabilidad de escuchar a Dios y a los demás antes de tomar una decisión.
Concepto 3: “Para asegurar un liderazgo eficaz, debemos otorgar a cada elemento de la estructura de servicio de SA, a la Asamblea General de delegados, y a la Junta de Custodios, junto con su personal y comités, un tradicional ‘Derecho de Decisión’” (Manual de Servicio, cap. 1, pág. 3
ESSAY June 2026 - Los mitos del servicio en una fraternidad de hombres y mujeres - Susie B., Idaho, USA
Identificar la verdad la ayuda a desmontar los mitos del servicio
Mis madrinas me enseñaron que el servicio es esencial para mi recuperación y que no puedo trabajar los pasos a fondo sin él. Trabajar juntos en el servicio me da una oportunidad única de poner mi programa en práctica. La recuperación consiste en sanar las relaciones, y eso ocurre en las pequeñas interacciones cotidianas. La recupera
ESSAY June 2026 - Мифы о служении в Сообществе мужчин и женщин - Сьюзи Б., Айдахо, США.
Изучение мифов о служении помогает ей установить правду.
Мои наставники учили, что служение необходимо для моего выздоровления и что без него я не смогу полностью проработать Шаги. Совместное Служение в сообществе даёт мне редкую возможность воплощать Программу в жизнь. Выздоровление - это исцеление отношений, оно приходит через небольшие, ежедневные взаимодействия. Выздоровление открывается в ме
ESSAY June 2026 - Третья Концепция: слушать, различать, принимать решения - Анонимный брат.
Его “право решения” приходит вместе с ответственностью слушать Бога и других, прежде чем принимать решения.
Концепция 3: “Чтобы обеспечить эффективное лидерство, мы должны наделить каждый элемент служебной структуры АС - Генеральную Ассамблею делегатов, Комитет попечителей и его сотрудников и комитеты, традиционным “Правом Решения” (Руководство по обслуживанию. гл. 1, стр. 3).
ESSAY June 2026 - Традиции и Концепции - это жизненно важные границы - Анонимная сестра.
Она поняла что в безопасности и защищена границами Традиций и Концепций.
Я несу служения в группе АС и в Комитете попечителей. В служении я поняла, что Концепции и Традиции - это границы, которые защищают не только людей от меня, но и меня от людей.
ESSAY June 2026 - Процветание в Традициях - Винс Г., Канада
Процветание в Традициях
Соблюдая традиции, он и его группа смогли выжить и процветать.
Двенадцать Традиций АС - жизненно важное дополнение к Двенадцати Шагам. В то время как Двенадцать Шагов помогают отдельному сексоголику выздоравливать и наслаждаться жизнью, Двенадцать Традиций помогают выживать и процветать группам. Как красочно описал это спонсор моего спонсора: “Двенадцать Шагов помогают се
ESSAY June 2026 - Двенадцать Традиций: стержень “Анонимных Сексоголиков” - Кэти С., Дэвон, Великобритания
Содружество продолжает существовать и нести весть о выздоровлении благодаря Традициям.
Двенадцать Традиций - основа жизни АС, Они заслуживают максимального внимания. Без Традиций нас бы с лёгкостью уничтожили разделение на группы, личности, внешние интересы и деньги. Именно Традиции, сформированные на опыте проб и ошибок АА и позже адаптированные АС, оберегают нас от этого давления и позволяют ско
ESSAY June 2026 - Мир без Двенадцати Шагов - Абдулбари Е., Тетуан, Марокко
Когда он действует по воле Бога, мир меняется навсегда.
В отеле Мейфлауэр Билл чувствует, как в нём поднимается желание выпить. Без малейшего сопротивления он отдаётся безумной идее. Он направляется в сторону бара в отеле и заказывает бокал джина, потом ещё один и ещё. Его аллергия завершает дело. Неделю спустя Билл умирает от отравления алкоголем.
ESSAY June 2026 - Die Mythen des Dienstes - Susie B., Idaho, USA
Das Aufdecken von Mythen im Dienst hilft ihr zu erkennen, was wahr ist.
Meine Sponsorinnen haben mir beigebracht, dass Dienst für meine Genesung unerlässlich ist und dass ich die Schritte ohne ihn nicht vollständig arbeiten kann. Die Zusammenarbeit im Dienst gibt mir die seltene Gelegenheit, mein Programm in die Tat umzusetzen. Bei der Genesung geht es um die Heilung von Beziehungen, und das gesch
ESSAY June 2026 - Konzept Drei: Hören, Unterscheiden, Entscheiden - Anonymous
Sein „Recht auf Entscheidung“ geht mit der Verantwortung einher, auf Gott und andere zu hören, bevor er eine Entscheidung trifft.
Konzept 3: „Um eine effektive Führung zu gewährleisten, sollten wir jedem Element der Dienststruktur [von AS], der Generaldelegiertenversammlung sowie dem Treuhänderrat (Board of Trustees) und seinen Mitarbeitern und Ausschüssen ein traditionelles ‚Recht auf Entsc
ESSAY June 2026 - Die Traditionen und Konzepte sind essentielle Grenzen - Anonym
Sie lernte, dass sie innerhalb der Grenzen der Traditionen und Konzepte sicher und geschützt ist.
Ich diene in einer AS-Gruppe und in einem Trustee Committee von AS. Ich habe gelernt, dass die Konzepte und Traditionen Grenzen sind, die nicht nur andere Menschen vor mir schützen, sondern auch mich vor anderen Menschen. Diese Grenzen – die Traditionen und Konzepte – zeigen mir, wo eine Gruppe oder
ESSAY June 2026 - Gedeihen in den Traditionen - Vince G., Kanada
Er und seine Gruppe konnten dank der Traditionen überleben und gedeihen.
Die Zwölf Traditionen von AS sind eine unverzichtbare Ergänzung zu den Zwölf Schritten von AS. Während die Zwölf Schritte dem einzelnen Sexsüchtigen helfen, sich zu erholen und das Leben zu genießen, helfen die Zwölf Traditionen den AS-Gruppen, zu überleben und zu gedeihen. Wie mein großartiger Sponsor es bildhaft beschr
ESSAY June 2026 - Die zwölf Traditionen: Das Rückgrat von AS - Kathie S., Devon, UK
Die Traditionen ermöglichen das Bestehen der Gemeinschaft, damit sie die Botschaft der Genesung weitergeben kann.
Die Zwölf Traditionen bilden das Fundament des Lebens in AS und verdienen unsere volle Aufmerksamkeit. Ohne sie würden Gruppierungen, Einzelpersonen, äußere Interessen und Geld uns leicht zerstören. Es sind die Traditionen, die von AA nach vielen Versuchen und Irrtümern formuliert wurd
ESSAY June 2026 - Eine Welt ohne die Schritte - Abdelbarie E., Tétouan, Marokko
Wenn er nach Gottes Willen handelt, verändert sich die Welt für immer.
Im Mayflower Hotel spürt Bill, wie das Verlangen nach einem Drink langsam in ihm aufsteigt. Ohne den geringsten Widerstand gibt Bill dieser wahnwitzigen Idee nach. Er geht zur Hotelbar und bestellt ein Glas Gin – dann noch eines und noch eines. Seine Allergie spielt ihm einen letzten Streich. Eine Woche später stirbt Bill an ei
ESSAY June 2026 - Concept Trois : Écouter, Discerner, Décider - Anonyme
Son « droit de décision » s’accompagne de la responsabilité d’écouter Dieu et les autres avant de prendre une décision.
Concept 3 : « Pour garantir un leadership efficace, nous devons doter chaque élément de la structure de service [de SA], l’Assemblée Générale des Délégués, le Conseil d’Administration, son personnel et ses comités, d’un « Droit de Décision » traditionnel » (Manuel de service, ch
ESSAY June 2026 - S'épanouir dans les Traditions - Vince G., Canada
Lui et son groupe ont pu survivre et s'épanouir grâce aux Traditions.
Les Douze Traditions de SA constituent un complément essentiel aux Douze Étapes de SA. Alors que les Douze Étapes aident le sexolique à se rétablir et à profiter de la vie, les Douze Traditions aident les groupes SA à survivre et à s'épanouir. Comme mon parrain principal l’a décrit de manière imagée : « Les Douze Étapes aident à
ESSAY June 2026 - Un monde sans les Étapes - Abdelbarie E., Tétouan, Maroc
Quand il agit selon la volonté de Dieu, le monde s'en trouve transformé à jamais.
À l’hôtel Mayflower, Bill sent l’envie d’un verre monter lentement en lui. Sans la moindre résistance, Bill cède à cette idée folle. Il se dirige vers le bar de l’hôtel et commande un verre de gin, puis un autre, et encore un autre. Son addiction joue son dernier tour. Une semaine plus tard, Bill meurt d’une intoxica
ESSAY April 2026 - Editor’s Corner - The Editorial Team
Most times, all that can be done is to take an action of love long before any positive feelings follow. Yet they do follow. It has also been said that closer union in God's will brings the internal loving disposition to his will even before action is taken. Sometimes those experiences come, and many times they don't, but either way, continuing to get out of one's comfort zone helps reveal how God
ESSAY April 2026 - Dear ESSAY - Maria, Brazil
This is a letter written by one of the intergroup representatives to our regional assembly on the occasion of the death of our delegate, Antonio S., in January 2026.
Tribute to our dear friend Antonio
Aristotle taught that honor does not belong to the individual, but to those who observe him. It is an external marker, the public recognition of a virtuous life. Today, the honor we attribute to Anto
ESSAY April 2026 - Hosting an International Convention - Tom K, ICC
The SA ICC walks an intergroup through the process of hosting an international convention that opens a channel for spiritual growth unique only found in service.
The opportunity to attend an international convention can lead to a recovery experience that will last for years to come. We listen to the experience, strength, and hope from many of our oldtimers. We make new and lasting friendships w
ESSAY April 2026 - The Role God Has for Me - Luke H., Oregon, USA
He stopped trying to obtain happiness his way and found it by living God’s way.
I can imagine myself from early in recovery saying something like: “positive sobriety??? How about just sobriety?? I can’t even stay sober, and now you tell me I need positive sobriety!? What the heck is that!??”
ESSAY April 2026 - The Butterfly, the Garden, and the Gardener - Viviana S., Colombia
The Gardener of her soul prepared her to receive the garden of his presence, a Presence who is growing a new life that the butterfly of obsessive love could never give.
For many years, I lived chasing a butterfly. I believed that within it lay my breath, my meaning, and my joy. I thought that if I managed to catch it, my heart would stop feeling incomplete.
ESSAY April 2026 - Attraction to Actions of Love - Robert C., Louisiana, USA
Focusing his attentions on others in service became more attractive than his self-interest.
Sobriety was not a possibility for me before starting the Program two and a half years ago. Years of escaping unpleasant aspects of life by fantasizing in my mind and finding ways to pleasure myself seemed unchangeable. Going to my escape drug was an ingrained habit leading me to a kind of despair and hop
ESSAY April 2026 - A Vision Of Kindness - Anonymous
Only God’s power can remove the blindness of self-centeredness and enlighten the eyes of service.
As a little child
God revealed to me
My entire day in one vision to see.
“Look,” said He,
“At all good things for you
In loving service to choose to do.”
ESSAY April 2026 - To Trudge Along with Them - Kip H., Washington, United States
Positive sobriety was not possible for him without positive steps and real connection with others.
I came into this Program seeking “negative sobriety”. By that I mean I wanted to negate acting out from my life. Like everything else up to that point, I thought I could do it on my own. If I read some literature, meditated a bit on all the things I’d done and sought absolution for them, bingo, I’d
ESSAY April 2026 - A Lifestyle of Positive Sobriety - GregGrateful and Sober in Florida
Connecting with a Higher Power by living in the solution, the 12 Steps, empowers her to serve other addicts, including those in the Service Structure.
For nearly my entire life, I acted in ways I knew weren't right. I said things that hurt me and harmed others. Sweet relationships were destroyed. It seemed like I couldn't help myself. I was driven by some insane urge for attention from men, and t
ESSAY April 2026 - A Mixture of Emotions - Anonymous
A Journey of 90 Meetings in 90 Days
Attending solution-focused meetings and working on his first step inventory gave him different feelings and helped him better see the depths of his addiction.
September 11th
This morning in the meeting, there was a powerful atmosphere among the 25 participants. Someone shared a recognizable anecdote of my own disease: when another person shares about his acting
ESSAY April 2026 - The Law of Love - Luke H, Oregon, USA
In living a life of selfless giving, he finds his needs, joy, and serenity supplied.
I've had several conversations over the last 24 hours about Step One. It seems to me that everything, right down to the core of my being, resisted admitting my powerlessness. This has been, quite possibly, the biggest hurdle in my recovery journey. Admitting complete defeat felt like dying; it felt like giving up
ESSAY April 2026 - Right Between the Eyes - Kathie S., Devon, UK.
A life-changing condition forced this member to embrace self-care and God’s peace more fully, giving her more to offer others.
My journey through recovery has been a joy and a great challenge, because I have a number of medical conditions. I'd like to write from my heart about what positive sobriety looks like to me today.
ESSAY April 2026 - A Road to True Happiness - Lucy M., Guatemala.
She often forgets that being happy happens on the inside and not on the outside.
I often tell newcomers, so they know it is part of the process, that it is okay to feel the pain of quitting lust. I also tell them that it is not me who stopped or quit lust. It was my Higher Power and the company of SA’s women´s meetings that I stayed abstinent and didn’t commit any harm to myself. Even though I was
ESSAY April 2026 - Striving for Positive Sobriety - Arpita, Delhi, India
Practicing the 12 Step solution allows her to come into recovery and experience pain without numbing out.
“How can you lose your sobriety if you’re not even sober?!” I was listening to an old-timer when these words echoed in my ears. At that time, I had two years of sobriety, but I was sick and drunk.
ESSAY April 2026 - I Knew I Was Coming to Help - Antonio N., Spain
When choosing between meditation to know God’s will and helping the person in need, God’s will was immediately revealed.
The Solution says, “We began practicing a positive sobriety, taking the actions of love to improve our relations with others” (SA 205). A recent experience that made me grow describes this quote. Last month, I visited my aunt. I spent money from my tight budget and traveled for
ESSAY April 2026 - Because I Belong - Anonymous
He discovered that by living in the Steps, he found a spiritual home for himself in SA.
I did not come because I was full of hope;
I came when I’d run out of ways to cope.
I did not come because I loved the Steps;
I came when my life was tangled, a mess.
ESSAY April 2026 - I Want to Recover! - José N., Chihuahua, México
Integrity has to be practiced in every aspect of his life.
I’ve been seeing ads on social media offering a huge collection of books about psychology, therapy, healing, motivation, and self-improvement for only 100 Mexican pesos. A question arose in me: Could this be dishonest? I asked those people whether they were the authors of that material, and their answers were everything except “yes.”
ESSAY April 2026 - No Less a Man - Daniel M., Georgia, USA
He realized that following the experience of others didn’t diminish his manhood; it helped him live up to it.
Before coming to SA, I prided myself on being able to figure things out on my own. I work as a Firefighter in my local town and am known as the go-to guy when it comes to fixing things. So when I was told to take actions based on what other people had done, I struggled. Where was the prid
ESSAY April 2026 - Stick With the Winners - Yaniv G., New York, USA
He learned the true meaning of what it means to be a winner.
I’ve never loved that saying because I was a chronic slipper. It sounds like there are winners and losers in recovery. But that’s not how our Fellowship works. A more honest version might be: “Stick with the sober members.” In SA, there are only two kinds of people—those who are sober today, and those who are not yet sober. Both belong
ESSAY April 2026 - The Insanity of a Thought - Jeff O, Chicago, IL
He realized that a business conversation that expresses interest in a woman without intentions to follow up is lust.
I'm a silent partner with a drug and alcohol recovery clinic in Atlanta. (For anonymity purposes—I'm not from Atlanta and don't live there). Last May, I flew down for a grand opening for our newly relocated facility. Grand openings are an opportunity for all the people in the indust
ESSAY April 2026 - Work, Work, Work, Work - KB, St Louis
In Step One, I admitted that I was powerless over lust and that my life was unmanageable.This is absolutely true, but my sponsor reminds me that I have to work my SA program.
So, I do these things:
When I see an interesting person (which is to say, when I objectify a person for lust’s sake), I have to pray and immediately work my program.
When I call my check-in partner every week to report my beh
ESSAY April 2026 - Not Saints Yet - Anonymous
This member finds hope by not leaving out the possibility of one day becoming a saint.
This morning in my meeting, we read from Chapter 5 of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is occasionally referred to in AA meetings as “the preamble”. It was a reminder to me of my group’s pre-COVID days, our face-to-face meetings, which have now become entirely too infrequent.
ESSAY April 2026 - The First SA India Convention Becoming a Reality
Celebrating the Steps and recovering together in mixed meetings brought life to India’s first-ever convention.
From 2020 onward, online meetings gave SA India a strong push, resulting in steady growth in both members and meetings.
ESSAY April 2026 - Progress One Day at a Time - Kiko S., Long Beach, CA.
He felt called to start a meeting in another language to amend the damage caused in the addiction.
What started as an intuition in prayer and meditation one day at church, continued with a desire to make amends to those of another language and culture whom I objectified and wronged by starting a Spanish-speaking SA meeting in person. This desire has evolved over the past two years. Though Spanish
אַפּרִיל 2026 חיבור - אורח חיים של מפוכחות חיובית - אסירת תודה ופיכחת בפלורידה
חיבור לכוח עליון באמצעות חיים בתוך הפתרון, 12 הצעדים, מעניקה לה את היכולת לתת שירות למכורים אחרים, כולל אלו שבמבנה השירות
כמעט כל חיי פעלתי בדרכים שידעתי שאינן נכונות. אמרתי דברים שפגעו בי והזיקו לאחרים. מערכות יחסים יפות נהרסו. נראה היה שאני לא מסוגלת לעזור לעצמי. פעלתי מתוך דחף של טירוף לקבל תשומת לב מגברים, ולהשיג את אותו רגש שנראה כמו חיבור אבל השאיר אותי ריקה לחלוטין. חיי הונעו על‑ידי כוח ב
