Step Study Class

“The Step Study Class provides an interactive classroom environment for anyone working the Steps of the SAA® program. ALL Twelve Steps are discussed at every meeting allowing anyone to join in.”

The material presented on this page supports the discussion and work done during the weekly Study Study Class and is used during our Step Retreats.

The Step Study Class Goals

We are all here for the same purpose

  • To learn how to work the Steps
  • To work the Steps rapidly and effectively
  • To adopt a service oriented mind-set because “Service Keeps Us Sober

We encourage you to find a sponsor but you do not need one to work the Steps.  A temporary sponsor can help you for a defined period, like 30-days.  Co-sponsors are members who agree to work the Steps together, supporting each other and holding one another accountable.  In a real sense, we co-sponsor each other in this class.  Attendees are encouraged to ask other class members to be their temporary sponsor or co-sponsor.

Working in isolation is STRONGLY DISCOURAGED

The materials presented here are used during the Triangle Area SAA Annual Step Retreats and are intended to be used with the guidance of a sponsor or co-sponsor. By downloading this material, user agrees to use any and all Triangle SAA documents as presented, in their entirety, without editing, deletions, or corrections.

Step 1

“In taking the First Step, we admit that our addiction is destroying us, and that we are unable to stop it. We surrender, raise the white flag, and accept the battle is over. The principle behind this admission is honesty.”

Introduction – Sex Addicts Anonymous® handbook, page 22

Steps 2 and 3

“Studying the Steps is not the same as taking the Steps. In the “Beginners’ Classes” you take the steps. The Big Book says, “Here are the steps we took” not “here are the steps we read and talked about.” The AA pioneers proved that action, not knowledge, produced the spiritual awakening that resulted in recovery from alcoholism or addiction.”

Big Book Sponsorship Guide

Steps 4 and 5

“Triggers are the first stage of the Addiction/Shame Cycle. Triggers can be Persons, Places, Circumstances, and/or Emotions. These factors have one thing in common: their memory or presence is painful to us. This includes joy, happiness, elation, and success which paradoxically cause us pain by eliciting feelings of unworthiness, shame, and fear of failure or of being frauds.”
“It is our Triggers that drive our addiction.”

Step 4 Resources

Steps 6 and 7

“I like to think of it this way. In Steps 2 and 3 we start to go ‘steady‘ with our Higher Power. We give It a chance to see if a relationship is possible. By the time we get to Steps 6 and 7, we are ready to commit to our Higher Power because we know It will be there for us.”
David C. of Raleigh NA
Guest Speaker in 2012
Triangle SAA Step Study Class

Steps 8 and 9

“Since defective relationships with other human beings have nearly always been the immediate cause of our woes, including alcoholism, no field of investigation could yield more satisfying and valuable rewards than this one.”
Bill W.
AA Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions