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• What is Sex Addiction?
• Am I a Sex Addict?
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What is Sex Addiction?

Sex Addiction can involve a wide variety of practices. Sometimes an addict has trouble with just one unwanted behavior, sometimes with many. A large number of sex addicts say their unhealthy use of sex has been a progressive process. It may have started with an addiction to masturbation, pornography (either printed or electronic), or a relationship, but over the years progressed to increasingly dangerous behaviors.

The essence of all addiction is the addicts' experience of powerlessness over a compulsive behavior, resulting in their lives becoming unmanageable. The addict is out of control and experiences tremendous shame, pain and self-loathing. The addict may wish to stop --- yet repeatedly fails to do so. The unmanageability of addicts' lives can be seen in the consequences they suffer: losing relationships, difficulties with work, arrests, financial troubles, a loss of interest in things not sexual, low self-esteem and despair.

Sexual preoccupation takes up tremendous amounts of energy. As this increases for the sex addict, a pattern of behavior (or rituals) follows, which usually leads to acting out (for some it is flirting, searching the net for pornography, or driving to the park.) When the acting out happens, there is a denial of feelings usually followed by despair and shame or a feeling of hopelessness and confusion.

MEETINGS CANCELLED!

SF lunchtime meetings at Old Saint Mary’s are cancelled this week due to remodeling.

Bocce Ball Tournament This Saturday!

The Tools of Recovery meeting once again asks you to join them this Saturday the 21st for their annual Bocce Ball Games at Julliard Park in Santa Rosa! Games will start at 11am and run till 4pm. You’ll find your fellows at the Bocce Ball Court at the North West corner of the park. Bring your own drinks. No Experience or Equipment required! You’ll have a blast!

Service Opportunities

Write For Out Of The Fog - Our Newsletter All contributions are welcome on your recovery, the steps, an epiphany you had or any other wisdom you wish to share. Send all submissions to ​newsletter@bayareasaa.org

Contribute To The Giving Hope A Chance Campaign. This campaign is working towards increasing public information about SAA, developing an online community, and strengthening technology and infrastructure. ​For further information contact Phillip B. at the ISO office via e-mail: ​phillipb@saa-iso.net​ or phone 1-800-477-8191

ISO Survey - Representation Matters!

ISO created a survey to help them understand the demographics of our members. This will help them determine how to help existing members, and outreach strategies for sex addicts, the professional community and public at large. Your intergroup rep should be able to connect you with a copy of the survey via e-mail or paper. You can also reach out to the ISO in regards to the survey at ​info@saa-recovery.org​ or 1-800-477-8191

Sex Addicts Recovery Podcast

Volunteers Wanted For Thumbnail Artwork and Bumper Music. Contact Jason T: ​taboadafett@gmail.com

Call to action

Elect A Group Service Representatives (GSR) For Your Meeting. Each meeting should have a registered a primary and alternate GSR with the ISO. ​What is a GSR? GSR’s meet at least once a year, with the other GSR’s in their area to discuss items to be voted on for the annual conference. Each area will send a GSR to represent them at the meeting. The bay area has 3 areas (South Bay, SF and East Bay). So that means the bay area will be represented by 3 GSRs at the upcoming October Conference. ​Have your meeting elect one and register them at https://www.saa-iso.org/mbrs/gsr/index.php

SAA Step Workshop

Starting late August/September 2019 at San Jose - Trinity Presbyterian, Saturdays 9:45 am - 11:15 am The focus will be on reading, discussion and working on the steps. The SAA green book , AA Big/Blue Book, AA 12 steps and 12 traditions, the book “Drop the Rock” for 6 &7 and step specific handouts. Contact: ​matt.taylor64@gmail.com​ for details

New Zoom meeting

“Healthy Intimate Relationships” Zoom (online) meeting, Tuesdays at 5:30 pm PT This is a blended meeting, hosted by COSA, in which SAA members and their affected partners are welcome to join, together or separately, whether they are in a current relationship or not. This meeting uses the 12 steps and traditions to help us develop a greater capacity for empathy and emotional intimacy in our primary love relationships. ​contact ​hir.zoom@yahoo.com​ for meeting ID and password

New Meeting in Alameda

First Things First meets at 7:15 PM on WEDNESDAYS. First Congregational Church of Alameda, 1912 Central Ave. Miracle Room on 2nd Floor at Chestnut Street. Open/mixed

Upcoming Event

Recovery Day In Half Moon Bay for members of any S fellowship and their families. At Poplar Beach, Sunday September 29, 10 am - 6 pm. Bring your lunch and beach supplies, no alcohol but tasty snacks are encouraged. More details here: https://recovery-day-in-half-moon-bay6.webnode.com

Publishing Announcements

Call (415) 456-1063 or send email to info@bayareasaa.org to publish fellowship news and announcements here.