From the beginning of time, addicts were considered weak people who simply did not have the moral strength to stop using their drug. The most common addiction is a compulsion to imbibe alcohol in its various forms. As the alcoholics’ condition deteriorates, they inevitably land in mental institutions or die from liver failure/wet brain/other fatal illness. Over the ages, prevailing medical opinion has deemed them incurable. In 1935, by the grace of God, two alcoholics found a solution to their drinking problem, and thus Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was formed. This was the first 12-step program.

The AA recovery program was based on simple principles but their results were revolutionary. The AA co-founders wrote the “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous, detailing exactly what actions they took and how they recovered from this “seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.” With time, groups had sprung up in many cities, and the number of recovering addicts had begun to grow exponentially.

Eventually, groups of alcoholics began carrying the message of hope and sobriety to men and women who were suffering from other addictions, such as narcotics. It quickly became apparent that the same 12 step program that saves alcoholics, could also liberate drug addicts. Many drug addicts began to join AA and recovered as the result. But, it became apparent to many of the group members that it might be worthwhile to open a separate fellowship for drug addicts. The main problem was a lack of identification with the exact nature of the problem. It is true that an addict is an addict, and the difference between alcohol and narcotics can seem very small; however, identifying with the exact nature of the problem is crucial for the recovery process, and drug addicts felt that they lacked that in AA. Another concern arose when boundaries became blurred regarding the definition of sobriety when alcoholics who stopped drinking yet started using drugs would come and share that they were “sober” according to AA definitions.

That’s how another fellowship, called “Narcotics Anonymous,” has developed. As the result of the 12-step-fellowship expansion, more people were given a chance of a new life, without their drug, be it alcohol or drugs.

Twelve-step recovery is not limited to alcohol and narcotics. It continues to expand into more and more areas of life, including sex, gambling, and food addictions. Many different fellowships have been pioneered, helping millions of people suffering from the disease of addiction, whatever form it took on for them.

Approximately 40 years ago, folks struggling with compulsions of sexual nature in various forms tried to recover using the principles of A.A. There was more opposition to this approach. “It’s merely a moral failing,” naysayers said. “It’s not substance abuse, it’s just a character flaw; bad choices,” they challenged. But lo and behold, the 12-step recovery model did work and worked well. It kept struggling sexual addicts sober and sane. A few fellowships grew out of this original idea. Sexoholics Anonymous [SA], Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous [SLAA] and Sex Addicts Anonymous [SAA] have been founded. All these fellowships have in common dealing with compulsive sex [in and out of relationships] in one form or another. The differences between these various groups are merely in how they address their “acting out” and the definition of “sexual sobriety.” In recent years, the porn epidemic hit the Western world and turned compulsive porn usage into the world’s fastest-growing addiction.

While many porn addicts have found sobriety and recovery in the existing “S” fellowships, some of us porn addicts have found that we needed something that was geared more specifically for us. The essential “identification” of our specific form of lust, the ability to share with like-minded fellows, and the safe environment necessary to break our DENIAL seems much more powerful and effective with members with similar acting out behaviors.

In the past several months, individual members of various existing S fellowships have taken the exciting steps of establishing the “Porn Anonymous” 12-step fellowship [PA] to cater to the specific niche that our recovery seems to require. Judging from the responses we are receiving, we pray and hope that the fellowship will grow quickly to serve the obvious need and include many newcomers who are in distress. Currently, there are over 10 PA rooms, meeting regularly to carry the PA message of freedom from the tyranny of pornography and lust.

If you think you may be addicted to pornography, please reach out to us. We hope you will find the solution you are looking for. If you are clear that you are not addicted to pornography, please remove yourself from the mailing list by clicking “unsubscribe.” We are not a self-help or morality group.