Why do we try to be of service in Sex Addicts Anonymous?
 | Tradition 1: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon SAA unity. |
We need to help out by setting up the meeting, volunteering for positions like secretary or treasurer, and be willing to answer questions from a newcomer, so that the group can continue to function and grow.
| Tradition 5: Each group has but one primary purpose - to carry its message to the sex addict who still suffers. |
This tradition reminds us why we are a part of the group and that the group functions to help the still-suffering sex addict.
| Tradition 8: Sex Addicts Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers. |
In SAA we do not have a professional class of workers. It is up to each individual recovering sex addict to perform the services that might otherwise have to be performed by someone for pay.
| Tradition 12: Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. |
This tradition reminds us that we are to serve in a humble capacity and not for selfish, ego-driven reasons.
Another important
reason we give service in SAA resides in step 12:
.....we
tried to carry this message to the sex addict who still suffers and.....
It is a part of our
commitment to work the 12 steps so that the circle of recovery will remain
unbroken and our future brothers and sisters who come after us will have a place
to go to recover from this seemingly hopeless condition of mind and body. We
serve the fellowship out of gratitude for our own recovery and the desire to
give back at least some small part of what has been so freely given to us.
Another reason we serve is that it helps us stay sober. In fact, the Big
Book of AA states clearly, "Practical experience shows that nothing will so
much insure immunity from drinking [acting out] as intensive work with other
alcoholics [sex addicts]" (AA Big Book, p.89, 1st sentence).
The 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of SAA in their entirety.