Last Updated:
June 4th, 2025
Local Sex/Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) Meetings
What is Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous?
SLAA is a 12-step fellowship for anyone who feels that their relationship patterns, sexual behaviours or obsession with love are causing harm. Whether it’s constantly seeking out validation through intimacy, falling into repeated toxic dynamics, struggling to leave an unhealthy relationship or avoiding closeness altogether, SLAA offers a space to start healing.
It began in 1976 when a member of Alcoholics Anonymous realised that their struggles with relationships and sex mirrored the compulsive thinking and behaviour they’d seen in substance use. From those early conversations, SLAA grew into a fellowship where people could safely talk about the painful and confusing ways intimacy can go off course.
Who is SLAA for?
SLAA is for people who want to stop engaging in harmful or compulsive behaviours around sex and relationships. That might mean:
- Constantly chasing new sexual encounters
- Feeling unable to be alone
- Jumping from one emotionally intense relationship to another
- Avoiding intimacy altogether
- Isolating because closeness feels too risky
The fellowship includes people from all walks of life. Some have struggled with infidelity, some with porn or hookup apps and some with love addiction that leads to obsessive thoughts or emotionally unavailable partners, but what unites SLAA members isn’t one particular behaviour. It’s the feeling that something isn’t working. Despite your best efforts, you keep ending up in relationships or habits that make you feel worse.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why do I keep doing this?” and felt stuck, this might be the space you need.
What happens at an SLAA meeting?
If you’ve never been to a meeting before, it’s normal to feel nervous, especially when the topic is something as vulnerable as sex or love. But meetings are designed to be safe and respectful. You won’t be asked to share personal details unless you want to, and you’ll never be pressured to speak if you’re not ready.
Most meetings begin with a few readings from SLAA-approved literature. These include the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, the Preamble and often a reading from the Basic Text or a daily meditation book. These help ground the group and remind everyone of the shared goal: recovery.
Then, members take turns sharing. They might talk about a challenge they faced that week, a breakthrough they’ve had or something they’re working through in the steps. Sharing is timed to make sure everyone has a chance.
Does SLAA only focus on sexual behaviour?
While some people in SLAA struggle primarily with sexual addiction, many others come because of unhealthy dynamics in love or emotional relationships. That might mean feeling addicted to a specific person or constantly seeking romantic attention as a way to feel worthy.
In fact, many members come to SLAA not because of what’s happening physically but because of the emotional impact, like feelings of obsession, rejection, shame or emptiness that seem to repeat over and over.
There are also people in SLAA who identify as “sexually anorexic” in terms of intimacy, meaning they avoid closeness or sexual contact entirely out of fear. SLAA makes space for all of these experiences.
The specifics don’t matter as much as the willingness to try something different.
Do I need to be in a relationship to attend?
Not at all. You don’t need to be dating, married or involved with anyone to be in SLAA. In fact, many people come to the programme after a breakup or when they’re intentionally staying out of relationships to focus on healing.
You also don’t need to have stopped all behaviours before attending. If you’re still in a relationship that you’re unsure about or if you’re actively struggling with compulsive behaviours, you’re still welcome. What matters is that you recognise something isn’t working and want to explore recovery in a supportive space.
SLAA meetings are judgment-free. You can show up exactly as you are, whether you’re still entangled in a pattern or taking your first tentative steps out of it.
What are the benefits of SLAA?
People don’t come to SLAA because they want to be perfect at relationships. They come because they want peace. They want to stop replaying the same story over and over.
So, what are the benefits?
You start to get honest with yourself
For many, SLAA is the first time they’ve ever truly said, “This is a problem.” That kind of honesty opens the door to real change, not just on the surface but in how you view yourself and others.
The shame begins to lift
There’s something powerful about hearing someone else describe a pattern you thought was just yours. It makes you feel less broken. Less alone. That’s where healing often begins.
You begin to rebuild trust
SLAA offers tools to help repair your relationship with yourself. As recovery grows, you also gain clarity about how to form relationships that are grounded, not chaotic.
Connection replaces secrecy
When you’re caught in addictive behaviours, everything feels hidden. SLAA helps replace secrecy with connection. That might come through meetings or step work, but over time, it builds real support.
How do I find a Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous meeting?
SLAA meetings are usually available in person or online. You can visit the official SLAA website to search for meetings by location, time or type. There are meetings specifically for men, women, LGBTQ+ members, newcomers, and general attendees.
You don’t need to sign up or explain yourself in advance. You can attend anonymously and just listen if that’s what you’re comfortable with. If one meeting doesn’t feel like the right fit, there are many others to try.
Recovery looks different for everyone. What matters is that you start somewhere, and a meeting is often the most supportive place to begin.
Not sure where to start? Addiction Helper can support you
If you’re feeling unsure about attending your first meeting or if the idea of talking about sex and relationships feels too exposing right now, that’s okay. You’re allowed to feel nervous. You’re also allowed to ask for help before you’re completely ready.
That’s where Addiction Helper comes in. We’re here to talk, listen and guide you toward support that feels right for you. That might mean helping you find an SLAA meeting near you or online or just offering space to talk through what’s going on.
You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need to be “fixed” before you reach out. Whether you’re in crisis or just starting to question things, we’re here. Contact Addiction Helper today, and let’s take that first step together.
Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Click here to see works cited)
- Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous of Arkansas. “About S.L.A.A.” Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, slaa-arkansas.com/about-s-l-a-a. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
