The Tools That Help Us Get Better

SCA has developed tools that help us to get started in recovery and to remind us of “the basics” once our recovery has matured.

These are the tools that help us get better:

• Meetings are where we share our experience, strength and hope with each other to better understand our common problem and work together towards the solution.
• The Telephone is our meeting between meetings. By making contact with others, we begin to break out of the isolation that is so strongly a part of the disease.
• Sponsorship is two people with the same problem helping each other to work the program. It can provide a framework for a Sexual Recovery Plan and for doing the Twelve Steps, and can bring emotional support at difficult times.
• Literature is our portable program. We use SCA’s Conference-approved literature, as well as that of AA and other Twelve Step programs. We may also make use of other appropriate materials.
• The Twelve Steps are a suggested program of recovery based on the Twelve Steps of AA.
• Prayer and Meditation are a means of establishing conscious contact with a Power greater than ourselves.
• A Sexual Recovery Plan is a predetermined way of expressing our sexuality consistent with our values, so that even when confused, we will have a written guideline to help us.
• Abstention (partial or total) We get support in SCA by abstaining from people, places, or things that we consider harmful.
• Socializing is a way of breaking down our isolation and getting to know other people in a non-sexual context: at fellowship after meetings, in supportive organizations and groups, and the community at large.
• Dating is a way of changing the instant gratification habit and getting to know more about ourselves and another person before committing ourselves to any sexual decisions.
• The Slogans are simple statements that can be used in crisis situations so that we have some basic guidelines.
• Service is a way of helping ourselves by helping others.
• Writing provides a way to become honest with ourselves and our Higher Power. By writing in journals, gratitude lists, emails and letters, we can measure our progress, values, motives, and 12 Step work.