Customer Reviews

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous: The Basic Text for The Augustine Fellowship

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This is a profound and important book which examines the very real, though often socially ignored, addiction to sex and love relationships. Because sex and romantic love are so highly touted in our culture, compulsive behaviors in this area are often overlooked, tolerated and even encouraged. As a psychotherapist I have found that this is often a primary addiction, underlying substance abuse, eating disorders, etc. It is based on the unmet need for genuine love and belonging (agape) missing in our families of origin and the culture at large..and the fundamental lack of self-love and self-acceptance that fails to develop as a result. Thus the endless search for that someone or something outside of ourselves that will be the balm to our loneliness and cure for our inner emptiness. The author brilliantly and poignantly chronicles the discovery and naming of his own addiction and the painful, though ultimately rewarding journey to wholeness and recovery. His chapter on withdrawal was incredibly powerful. I believe this was a book written before its time that deals with a fundamental human/societal problem..the myth that our happiness can be found outside of ourselves rather than within...and serves as a guide to those who have the courage to face themselves and walk through their pain out onto the other side.

I became a member of SLAA (Sex And Love Addicts Anonymous) around 1988. This program saved my life. This book was a very important book to me, and all of us. Its writing was inspired by the man who founded SLAA (the way that Bill W and Dr. Bob founded AA) It has his story, and the stories of many other recovering Sex and Love Addicts, as well as a lot of theory and suggestions. It is not written for the lowest common denominator, as the originator was a Harvard graduate - but still, I never heard any of our members complain about its being hard to understand. The book is cleanly written and does not contain any obscenities. I am surprised that I didn't find any indication here at Amazon as the what this book really is - the core literature for SLAA - a 12-Step recovery program that still exists.
If you think you might have an addiction to sex and/or love - in any of its many forms - I recommend reading this book, and seeking out some meetings!

This book will put you in touch with your core issues regarding Sex and Love Addiction. If you ever had any questions reguarding your sex and love history this book is for you. If you want to be free of the pain caused by this disease of the mind then get this book.

Have worked in the addictions field for over twenty years. This is often one of the underlying problems which, left unexamined, leads often to relapse on the substances of abuse. In fact, it is often THE basis for all the addictive behaviors. This book is an eye-opener for the addict who repeatedly relapses after FALLING (note lack of balance) in LOVE or after losing control of some sexual behavior. Format of the book is reminiscent of the "Big Book", Alcoholics Anonymous, which is not surprising since recovering alcoholics started this program thirty-some years ago. Highly recommended reading.

You can read the same chapter multiple times and each time something new will "pop-out". You may have read too quickly or come to a new point in your recovery/ and this text is still somehow able to address you, the addict, where you are. (Yes I said addict) This book is so absolutely thorough and expertly defines the addiction. It is quite candid in explaining the concept of the disease, addressing each of the steps... withdrawal, restoring old partnerships and creating new ones. I can't say enough good things about this book.

The caliber of the writing is incredible as well.This is a book that demands your attention and rewards handsomely for it. If you are thinking about attending an S group or just want to read something that confirms your thoughts regarding a possible addiction, I promise this book will open your eyes and likely confirm your suspicion. It is gold! Just buy it!