Sex Addicts Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience; strength and hope with each other for the purpose of finding freedom from addictive sexual behavior and helping others recover from sex addiction. Our program is based on the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, though we are not affiliated with AA or any other organization. Our local meetings offer an accepting, non-threatening environment where we can share our common struggles and learn how to apply the principles of the Twelve Steps to our everyday lives. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop addictive sexual behavior. There are no fees or dues. We practice strict anonymity and confidentiality, so that our meetings are a safe place for all of us. Whom we meet or what is said in a meeting is confidential and is not normally disclosed or discussed with anyone else

Am I a sex addict?

You may find these helpful as a method of self-assessment.

1. Do you keep secrets about your sexual or romantic activities from those important to you? Do you lead a double life?

2. Have your needs driven you to have sex in places or situations or with people you would not normally choose?

3. Do you find yourself looking for sexually arousing articles or scenes in newspapers, magazines or other media?

4. Do you find that romantic or sexual fantasies interfere with your relationships or are preventing you from facing problems?

5. Do you frequently want to get away from a sex partner after having sex? Do you frequently feel remorse, shame or guilt after a sexual encounter?

6. Do you feel shame about your body or your sexuality, such that you avoid touching your body or engaging in sexual relationships? Do you fear that you have no sexual feelings, that you are asexual?

7. Does each new relationship continue to have the same destructive patterns which prompted you to leave the last relationship?

8. Is it taking more variety and frequency of sexual and romantic activities than previously to be brought to the same levels of excitement and relief?

9. Have you been arrested or are you in danger of being arrested because of your practices of voyeurism, exhibitionism, prostitution, sex with minors, indecent phone calls etc.?

10. Does your pursuit of sex or romantic relationships interfere with your spiritual beliefs or development?

11. Do your sexual activities include the risk, threat, or reality of disease, unwanted pregnancy, coercion, or violence?

12. Has your sexual or romantic behavior ever left you feeling hopeless, alienated from others, or suicidal?

13. Do you try to spend less time being sexual on the internet?  Hiding it from a spouse or not getting enough sleep to function the next day?

14. Do you have sex then start immediately seeking another partner or image to experience sex again because the first time or second time just did not get the fix you needed?

15. Are you living a double life because of your sex life?  Are you an expert liar, habitually telling people what they want to hear? If your coworkers, family or friends knew how you live, would they be shocked and surprise by this other character?

16. Do you wish it was over?  Would you find it a release to be discovered, arrested or to die?  Do you think you are beyond help or your behavior is too horrible to be forgiven?  Do you hate yourself?

(The above wording was borrowed in part from the literature of Sex Addicts Anonymous®.  This page will be updated with appropriate text and attribution.) 

See the approved item on the page: PI/CPC Series: Are your sexual behaviors causing you problems? – SAA (saa-recovery.org)

A sponsor is a person in the fellowship who acts as a guide to working the program of SAA, a fellow addict that you can rely upon for support.  Sponsors guide us through the twelve steps and tools of the program.

The content of this website has not been approved by and may not reflect the opinions or policies of the ISO of SAA, Inc.