About the Sexual Compulsives Anonymous 12-Step Recovery Program

Addiction can involve many behaviors, including sexual compulsion. People dealing with a sexual compulsion can seek comfort and assistance through Sexual Compulsives Anonymous (SCA). If you or someone you love might benefit from this kind of group support, you might want to learn about the Sexual Compulsives Anonymous 12-Step recovery program. Much like in Alcoholics Anonymous, group members attend meetings to provide and receive needed support from peers with similar experiences.

Sexual Compulsives Anonymous Recovery Guidelines

The core psychology of Sexual Compulsives Anonymous rests with its 12-Step recovery program. The first step is for members to admit that they are powerlessagainst the sexual compulsion that rules their everyday lives. After accepting this, members place faith in a greater power who can restore a sense of normalcy to their lives. After making the decision to turn themselves over to God or a Higher Power, members abide by the remaining nine steps:

• Take an objective moral inventory of themselves
• Admit the things they have done wrong
• Prepare to have God remove any remaining character defects
• Ask God to correct all personal shortcomings
• Compile a list of all people hurt by past behavior
• Make amends with those affected by the behavior of those seeking redemption
• Continue the fourth step by maintaining the moral inventory previously taken
• Utilize prayer and mediation for better understanding
• Use the 12 Steps to help other dealing with sexual compulsions

Though the steps are not identical to those used in alcohol addiction recovery, they serve as tools for sexual compulsives to use to modify behavior, which is a step toward leading a normal life.

What is Compulsive Sexual Behavior?

Compulsive sexual behavior is also known as sexual addiction. According to a paper written by Timothy W. Fong, MD, no standardized way exists to diagnose this type of dependency, though some mental health specialists can easily identify sexually addictive behavior in patients. Sexual activity can reach the addiction stage when the behavior impairs one’s ability to live life.

Aside from the emotional consequences of sexual addiction, those with sexual compulsion can experience very real health problems. The number of STDs contracted by sexual addicts is not available according to Dr. Fong’s research, but individuals with sex addiction are at a higher risk for exposure to such diseases as well as to injuries from repeated sexual activity.

Finding Help for a Sexual Addiction

An ABC News report in 2012 estimated that 16 million adult men and women in the United States have some level of sexual addiction. Support groups like Sexual Compulsives Anonymous exist to help those with sexual addiction face the problem. The 12-Step program is one tool that addicts can use to help change the course of addiction and begin living healthier lives.

If you can identify some of the addictive behaviors in yourself or in your loved one when you read about the Sexual Compulsives Anonymous 12-Step recovery program, it might be time to seek help.

You Are Not Alone

Mental health struggles can feel isolating, but compassionate care is within reach. Browse our comprehensive list of inpatient mental health facilities and residential treatment centers for depression, trauma, anxiety, and more. Healing is possible; find mental health help for yourself or a loved one today.

Other 12-Step programs include:

• Cocaine Anonymous
• Codependents Anonymous
• Crystal Meth Anonymous
• Debtors Anonymous
• Emotions Anonymous
• Gamblers Anonymous
• Gamers Anonymous
• Marijuana Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Neurotics Anonymous
• Nicotine Anonymous
• Sexaholics Anonymous
• Sexual Compulsives Anonymous
• Smokers Anonymous