SAL Info You May Be Interested In

Some of you may have heard – this week SAL meetings will officially begin using a new script.

Thanks to those who contributed to the feedback of the updated script and shared their experiences.

While the changes are minor, sometimes any change can be difficult for addicts.

As this minor change is taking place, I thought it might be helpful to also give a little background on SAL and the S.A. Lifeline Foundation.

What is SAL?

SAL (Sexual Addiction Lifeline) 12 Step Recovery meetings were founded in May 2014 by the founders of SA Lifeline Foundation, Steven C. and Rhyll C.

SAL varies from other SA groups in these specific ways:

• Commitment to gender-specific meetings
• Emphasis on “prayers from the heart”
• Open (non-proselyting) environment for those of all religious and non-religious affiliations

SAL meetings are “closed” meetings intended only for those seeking recovery from sexual addiction or betrayal trauma, where the principle of anonymity is safely guarded.

SAL 12 Step Groups function autonomously through the service of their own group members.

If there are 3 or more individuals in an area who have a reasonable amount of sobriety*, they have the opportunity to form and operate their own group.

There are 4 primary study materials used by SAL group memebers:

1. “The White Book” from Sexaholics Anonymous.
2. The “Step Into Action” series – currently 3 books – 1, 2, and 3; 4, 5, 6, 7; 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
3. “The Big Book” from Alcoholics Anonymous
4. “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” from Alcoholics Anonymous
   

   * 6 months of sobriety is considered a “reasonable amount of sobriety” to start a new group

What is S.A. Lifeline Foundation?

S.A. Lifeline Foundation (a 5013C) serves as a support to facilitate the operation of SAL 12 Step groups. The S.A. Lifeline Foundation’s motto is “Recovery Individuals, Healing Families.”

This foundation also works to provide quality educational materials for those seeking recovery from sexual addiction and betrayal trauma.

S.A. Lifeline Foundation may provide Conferences to either “closed” groups – those actively attending SAL 12 Step Meetings, or to educate a general audience from time to time.

The S.A. Lifeline Foundation seeks to be a voice in the recovery community and to share their experience, strength, and hope in regard to the importance of working the 12 steps, utilizing the 4 pillars of recovery, and other essential tools for sobriety and eventual long-term recovery.

What makes SAL Unique?

As mentioned earlier, SAL meetings are gender specific. Adult men seeking recovery from sexual addiction meet in specific locations, both on and offline. Spouses, significant others, and family members of these addicts also have their own meetings to help them work their own recovery from the betrayal trauma they feel due to their loved-one’s choices.

SAL recognizes that partners of addicts need their own healing from the effects of betrayal trauma.  As the spouse of an addict works their own 12 steps, they can find the healing they desperately need, instead of just receiving “support” as they continue to focus on the behaviors of their loved one.

SAL is also unique to other recovery groups in its understanding of God as THE key component of recovery.  Group members see recovery as a spiritual process that is only possible as they learn to rely on the Higher Power of our their understanding.

Conclusion

The new script you will experience this next week at your SAL meeting is an effort to abide by copyright law and unify the structure of our men’s and women’s groups.

We hope that this script, the salifeline.org website, and upcoming Conferences can help each one of us on our individual journey of recovery.

SAL has truly been (and continues to be) a Lifeline in my life.

Questions, comments, and feedback welcome.

Keep working it!  It works!