COSA is a recovery program for men and women whose lives have been affected by another person’s compulsive sexual behavior. In COSA, we find hope whether or not there is a sexually addicted person currently in our lives. With the humble act of reaching out, we begin the process of recovery. We are not affiliated with outside organizations, including treatment centers, religions or therapy.
We have found that working the Twelve Steps is just as important for us as it is for the sex addict. To remedy our own emotional, physical and spiritual illness, the COSA program offers suggestions, but keep in mind that the basis of our program is spiritual, as evidenced by the Twelve Steps. COSA is a Twelve Step recovery program for spiritual development, no matter what our religious beliefs.
As a result of practicing the steps, the fog that once shrouded our lives begins to lift, and the symptoms of our own dysfunction are removed on a daily basis. The Twelve Steps aid us in our process of surrendering to something greater than ourselves, and we find that the more total our surrender, the more fully realized our freedom from the coping behaviors we learned to use.
There is hope in COSA. In the long run, our efforts to control fail. The consequences leave us in despair: our self-esteem, personal boundaries and values are seriously compromised. Our health and our lives are at risk, and our identity is lost. We realize our need to reach out for help. In COSA, we begin to experience relief from our isolation, in the safety of an anonymous gathering with others who share our stories. With perseverance, bit by bit, sanity, clarity and our own truth begin to emerge.
As we share our experience, strength and hope while working the twelve steps, we grow stronger in spirit. We begin to lead our lives more serenely and in deeper fulfillment, little by little, one day at a time.
Once we become open to our own recovery, the preoccupation with the addict diminishes and in many cases leaves us entirely. As we walk further into the clarity of recovery, we find that to deal with our inner turmoil, we have to have a new way of thinking, of acting on life rather than reacting to it; in essence, a new way of living.
If you decide you are one of us, we welcome you with open arms. Whatever your circumstances, we offer you the gift of acceptance. Step into the sunlight of the spirit. You are not alone anymore. Welcome to COSA! Welcome home!