It Was a Relief

I had been in Al-Anon for two years when I found out about my husband’s sexaholism. I took some positive steps toward my own recovery, but I had every excuse in the book not to attend S-Anon – “My other program is helping me. The S-Anon meeting is too small…I need a larger meeting. I’m not like those people. He never did those things. I might run into a client or former client.” It never occurred to me to question why the same excuses didn’t keep me away from my other program. When I did start to attend S-Anon meetings, I felt like a complete newcomer. I struggled with my wish to control, my guilt, and my anger. It was a relief to hear people talk about sexual issues. I began to look at what sex means to me and how I used sex to manipulate my husband and reassure myself of my self-worth. I talked about boundaries and abstinence. Today, I continue to work both programs because I need both. Ironic as it may seem, I am grateful for my husband’s sexaholism, because it has forced me to look at my own addiction to people and to the illusion of control. I’ve learned that I can draw strength from my Higher Power and the power of both of my groups.

Reprinted from S-Anon’s Newcomer’s Information Booklet.