Your new story starts here.

"Life, Hope, Freedom"

For years, I was trapped in a cycle of pornography addiction, shame, and secrecy. No matter how hard I tried to stop, I always found myself falling back into the same destructive patterns, feeling hopeless, isolated, and stuck. Over time, this struggle grew into something much bigger than I ever expected. It played a major role in the breakdown of my marriage and left me feeling like I had completely lost my way. Finding SLAA was a turning point. Through this program, I connected with others who truly understood what I was going through. The meetings, the step work, and the honest conversations helped me begin to break free. I stopped hiding. I started healing. What once felt like a secret I would take to the grave has now become a part of my testimony and something I’ve shared with more people than I ever thought possible. Thanks to SLAA, I’ve started to rebuild my life. I’ve gained real tools, authentic connection, and a sense of freedom I never thought I’d feel again. Today, I have a new relationship, hope for the future, and genuine joy in my life. SLAA is a huge part of what got me there.

"No better tool!"

There's no better tool than the 12 steps for bringing my wounds into the light, giving them time and space to heal, and finding the gold they have to offer. The 3 years I've spent attending these meetings have provided the present, non-judgmental connective tissue I needed to dive in and do the hard work of healing. The men and women in these rooms have believed in me while I build the muscle of believing in myself.

"Saved my marriage"

The day I was caught cheating changed my life. My wife looked at me and said she wanted a divorce if I didn't change. I responded with a thought that felt both terrifying and liberating: "I think I have an addiction." Neither of us knew what that truly meant, but it was the first crack of light in a very dark place. That night, I went on a quest. I sat at my computer and searched for "sex addiction." Page after page of information confirmed my suspicions and, for the first time in a very long time, gave me hope. Through tears, I found a certified therapist specializing in sex and love addiction, and a feeling of "I'm all in" washed over me. Making that first appointment was the hardest call I have ever made. I received a diagnostic test to complete beforehand, which, like the 40-question test on this site, helped me understand the patterns of my behavior. On the day of the appointment, I was terrified—not excited. But the fear of living the same destructive life was greater than the fear of facing my truth. My therapist was a guide. He laid out the program, gave me a mountain of books to read, and most importantly, told me where to find my S.L.A.A. meeting. It was 28 minutes away, and initially, I felt overwhelmed by the commitment. But I remembered the pain I had caused my wife and myself, and I knew I had to follow the path he had laid out. Eight years later, I am still walking that path. I am 8 years sober, still attending S.L.A.A. meetings, and no longer in therapy. Most importantly, my wife and I are still together. The work saved my marriage and gave me a life I never thought was possible. To me, the S.L.A.A. group is a winner.

"Community, Courage, Recovery"

This group (Flying V) that I meet with every Thursday morning has truly transformed my life in the most profound way. Like most suffering from inexorable pain, I constantly bounced around between people, behaviors, and substances to dull the agonizing sensations and to escape reality. Unlike most people though, I am an addict. As healthy people may run away from time to time, my whole life became centered around running away. Not anymore. Though there are times when I slip and fall back into instances and behaviors of the past, I quickly pull myself out of that dream with the help from my support group. Initially, I was incredibly nervous to walk through the door into my first meeting, thankfully my fear quickly dissolved as the friendly faces inside turned to greet and welcome me. A few even got up to hug me. From that first time entering the room to meet the group (my group) I felt at home. Now every Thursday I am blessed to wake up and meet them. Though I cannot say that every meeting is easy, as we discuss and listen to the trials of life and the sufferings of our fellow members, I know that we are not alone and that we have each other’s backs. We also celebrate each other and our accomplishments as we try to face reality as soberly as we can. Recovery is a process, and with this group, I know that I can do it. I know that WE can do it. All it takes is the courage to walk through that first door.