For some people, support groups can be very helpful. They help people to realise they are not alone, and break the power of secrecy.

Several organisations run groups in the UK – some set up here, and some are UK branches of organisations in the USA. Either way it’s good to do some homework before choosing a group. The following keys points might help:

 

Key ingredients for a successful group

• Be honest, real and open. It is important for the group members to be straightforward in their discussion. No hiding.
• Successes should be recognised as they occur.
• Individuals should be challenged -  and help each other at tricky times.

 

Accountability

A key factor on the success or not of these groups is being accountable.  Individual group members need to be accountable to:

• God. We fear being discovered by others more than we do being seen by God. Knowing that God sees our sexual sin does not stop us from committing the sin.

• Themselves. This is a form of self-respect and self-worth, because every person should care about what they are doing to themselves and remember the damage they are causing to others involved.

• Other group members. Trust can be built up between the members; accountability can only be by voluntary mutual agreement.

 

12-Step Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous uses a 12-step methodology which has also been adopted by groups working with those with sex addictions. The following are links to groups operating in the UK. CARE cannot vouch for any of these groups. Please let us know if you have helpful experiences of these groups or not, and of any new groups we can check, as this site will be regularly updated.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous – www.slaafws.org for UK telephone number

Sex Compulsives Anonymous – meeting in London only www.sca-recovery.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous – various meetings in England and Scotland – www.sexaa.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous for women – www.saa-women.org

Sexaholics Anonymous – various meetings in England and Scotland – www.sauk.org