Rob's story (recovery in prison)

 Rob's story
I have been asked to share a little of my journey to recovery and the key role Sexaholics Anonymous played in that journey. Please consider this personal testimony as evidence of the good work that SA do to recover souls lost in addiction.

In 2018 I was convicted of a sexual offence and sentenced to five months in prison. I was also very fortunate to have been granted bail. This gave me an opportunity to seek help for my addiction. I engaged the help of a registered counsellor who specialized in sex addiction. After many sessions twice, a week at first, he suggested that I contact SA which I did. Up until that point I had never heard of SA. My addiction had driven me to cross barriers I never thought would be possible. I felt alone, rejected by society, even by some of my own family. I was confused and afraid of what I had become.

But when I began to attend SA meetings I realized I was not alone, in fact, I was accepted by them and felt that I was part of something. Something that had answers to my questions that made sense. They were able to lay out steps to recovery. They had access to resources that were world wide

They were able to tell me that in my own strength I was powerless to recover that there was a higher power that I could depend on to keep me on a sober path a better way of living, than stuck in my addiction. I was lucky and blessed to have found SA. If I had gone to remand instead of gaining bail, I shudder to think where I would be. My heart aches for all those in Jail who are slaves to sexual addiction who may never have the opportunity I had to find a new life through contact with SA. When I was in jail I still had support from SA though in a limited way, for example Jason C wrote me letters of encouragement and even came and visited me. My daily renewal partner Stuart wrote to me also and both of them to this day are great support mentors. This is one of the great benefits of SA you join a brotherhood that cares and supports each other, for we fight a common enemy. SA shows us a new path tried and tested by many who have gone before us.

My relationship with my higher power GOD  has grown beyond my wildest dreams. I know face life in partnership with Him in fact I would say co- dependent on Him for all my needs, I can testify that He has been faithful long suffering and abundant in goodness to me even though I am nothing special. But through His power working in me all things are possible.

 At present He has led me to a place where I am currently working with addicts here in another country who are serious about recovery, I have found the skills that SA taught me i.e. the 12-step program, have become invaluable in this role and my experience is now working to benefit others and help them out of addiction. I run a carpentry course for these ones that assists to build self-esteem and reinforces in a practical way that success can be achieved by following advice from experienced mentors and following a set of guidelines to achieve the desired result all assist the students to see that they can achieve recovery. My life has purpose meaning and direction and I owe that to God first then the amazing role SA has played in my rehabilitation. It is such an honour to be able to use my experience to help others

I appeal to you to allow SA to work with you in rehabilitation for those who are seeking help so that inmates will have that opportunity to recover and through their contact with SA they will have valuable ongoing support when they have finished their time so they will be less likely to re-offend and find recovery from what is a crippling disease.



Thank you for taking the time to assess the possibilities of allowing even on a trial bases SA to minister to those incarcerated

Rob's audio share
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l7pUQh0gegWfYkgZouaUJOSOg4rEQTbt/view?usp=drivesdk


For more information about how to get involved in SA prison work

https://chat.whatsapp.com/HHhenU9OyMQ13dDNnjhUm0