This is a sub-group of sex addiction fellowships that only work from the original 12-Step recovery book (The Alcoholics Anonymous "Big Book" - linked here).
The reasoning behind this, is that the AA "Big Book" is the original, undiluted source of the 12 Steps. Following these instructions has given people the highest success rates by far (75% and more).
Simply substitute "sex" or "pornography" for "alcohol" and most passages work just fine. The magic of the 12 Steps is that they aren't about our addictive behaviors as much as they are about the underlying causes and conditions. The book also emphasizes people who have recovered from addiction, not just people "in recovery" (a big difference).
I've been enjoying the different types of meetings they have. One pro is that I can attend these meetings for any fellowship, since they are working from the same material.
Another positive to this approach, is that people work the Steps much faster in this program, usually around 2 months. This ensures that sponsors are more available here than elsewhere, and we also suffer in our addiction less.
I found this video to be a terrific intro to sex addiction and 12 Steps, courtesy of Primary Purpose SAA.
This is an image shown to newcomers, from the TAG (Taking Action Group) of Primary Purpose SAA.
It's a great way of explaining the Mind + Body problem of addiction, and the solution.
- SAA Big Book Intergroup
This intergroup site appears to be the most complete directory of meetings. - Nordic Primary Purpose SAA
One of the largest Primary Purpose meetings in SAA, this is a fantastic group that meets on Thursdays. - Primary Purpose SAA
Not all virtual meetings listed here, and some are missing details listed on the Intergroup site (linked above).
Note, the Friday meeting is on Gmeets and not Zoom. - Primary Purpose SLAA
These meetings have a lot of women in recovery, good for anyone looking for a female sponsor.
I find the organization and pacing of this meeting to be top-notch. - SAA Taking Action Group (TAG)
This group is not listed on the SAAPP website. It is in the directory here though, with multiple meetings per week. They have a large group, with a strong Christian representation. It is very well organized and well attended. They have a pamphlet here.
You can search "SAAPP" in this link for other meetings as well.
These meetings are very different from others. Rather than use a therapy-model format where people can "check in" or "get current" on what is going on in life, these meetings often only allow sponsors and people who have worked the 12 Steps to reflect (although anyone can speak in fellowship).
The purpose of them is to read from the AA "Big Book" and relay the precise instructions for recovery, without distraction.
- Big Book Awakening Resources and Meetings
Meetings in PDF download, with audio resources too Big Book Awakening - Big Book Sponsorship
Big Book Workshop last Sunday of every month. And lots of great resources and info here!
Here are some additional meetings for studying the original 12 Step instructions. These aren't necessarily for sex addiction, but they can be helpful to exploring the text that we use to recover.
A mix of a bunch of different meetings, including some for Al-Anons and CODA
- AA Big Book 4th Edition
- AA Big Book 4th Edition (by Chapter)
(Links to AA Netherlands) - AA Big Book 4th Edition (Audio MP3 by Chapter)
- The (9th Step) Promises (Secular)
- All 12 Step Big Book Prayers (Secular)
- SAA Primary Purpose Audio
- SLAA Primary Purpose Audio
These are direct links to some of the 12 Step talks from Primary Purpose. I have found them to be very helpful for my recovery.
"We are sex addicts who have recovered. This means that our obsession has been removed. It means we do not have to be shielded from temptation.
We do not manage triggers. We do not control our travels so that we won’t be tempted. We do not have to be careful about how much money we have in our pockets.
We do not have to snap rubber bands on our wrists. We do not worry if illness, being out of town or other circumstances cause us to miss a meeting.
We do not have to keep fresh in our mind the past consequences of our last debacle or imagine the potential consequences in order to keep ourselves sober.
We are free. When temptation does arise, we found we have been given the ability to react like we are about to hurt ourselves. We have access to this gift as long as we practice specific principles in every aspect of our lives."
- Bob Bacon: Back To Basics
- Wally P. Back To Basics Site
There is an emphasis in Primary Purpose groups on the high recovery rates found in original AA meetings from the 1940s.
What changed? Some historical talks give us an insight into how many recovery groups may have veered from the well-known path of success:
- Akron Pamphlet #1 (1940) Intro to 12-Steps
- Akron Pamphlet #2 (1940) What Else Is There For Me In 12-Steps Besides Sobriety?
While they were never "conference approved", they are still in print today and sold at the Akron AA group shop, the oldest 12-Step group in the world (since 1935).
These pamphlets are dated in some parts, but also also utterly fascinating as to their detail in the early AA sponsorship methods.
The 2nd pamphlet has significantly helped me, and is packed with precise practical advice for recovery.
