Sexual Compulsives Anonymous

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

New SCAlogo.jpg
Recovery plan.jpg

Sexual Compulsives Anonymous (SCA) is a twelve-step program for people who seek recovery from sexual compulsion. It follows a recovery model familiar to those used in other twelve-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. SCA provides a supportive environment for individuals to share their experiences, strengths, and hopes with each other, aiming to overcome sexual compulsivity and achieve sexual sobriety.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Sexual Compulsives Anonymous was founded in the early 1980s in response to the growing need for a support group specifically tailored to address sexual compulsion. The organization has since spread internationally, with meetings held in various countries around the world. SCA is inclusive and open to anyone regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or sexual history, who believes they may have a problem with sexual compulsion.

Program[edit | edit source]

The core of the SCA program is the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous. These steps provide a framework for personal recovery, emphasizing spiritual growth, self-examination, amends, and service. Members work through these steps with the help of a sponsor, who is an experienced member of the community.

SCA also recognizes the unique nature of sexual compulsion and offers additional tools for recovery. These include the development of a personal plan for sexual sobriety, regular meeting attendance, and engagement in service within the SCA community.

Meetings[edit | edit source]

SCA meetings can vary in format, including speaker meetings, discussion meetings, and literature meetings. In speaker meetings, a member shares their personal story of addiction and recovery. Discussion meetings allow members to share their experiences related to a specific topic or question. Literature meetings focus on reading and discussing SCA literature or literature from other twelve-step programs.

Literature[edit | edit source]

SCA has developed its own literature to support its members, including the foundational text, The SCA Recovery Book, pamphlets, and guides on specific aspects of recovery from sexual compulsion. This literature is used in meetings and personal study to help members understand and apply the principles of the program.

Controversy and Criticism[edit | edit source]

As with many twelve-step programs, SCA has faced criticism. Some argue that the concept of sexual compulsion as an addiction is not universally accepted within the medical or psychological communities. Others critique the twelve-step approach itself, suggesting that it may not be suitable for everyone and that its emphasis on spirituality or a higher power can be alienating to some individuals.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Sexual Compulsives Anonymous offers a path to recovery for those struggling with sexual compulsion, providing a community of support and a program of action based on the twelve-step model. While not without its critics, for many, SCA has been a vital resource in achieving and maintaining sexual sobriety.

Sexual Compulsives Anonymous Resources
Doctor showing form.jpg
Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD