SCA 12-Step — Free Sex & Love Recovery Support Groups Online
Sexual Compulsives Anonymous (SCA) is a free 12-step fellowship open to anyone with a desire to recover from sexual compulsion. Founded in 1973 and explicitly inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities, SCA holds meetings across the United States and internationally — in person, by phone, and on video — providing a community of peer support for people working through compulsive sexual behavior.
What to Expect
SCA meetings follow the 12-step format adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous. A typical meeting is about an hour long: members read SCA literature, the leader shares briefly, and the rest of the meeting is open sharing — members speak in turn about their experience working a recovery program, the situations they’re navigating, and the principles they’re applying. There is no cross-talk, no advice giving, and what’s shared in the meeting stays in the meeting. SCA emphasizes that it is not group therapy but a spiritual program — meaning members work the 12 steps with a sponsor and aim for what SCA calls sexual sobriety, defined personally by each member rather than imposed by the fellowship.
Who This Group Is For
Membership is open to anyone with a desire to recover from sexual compulsion. SCA is particularly known for its inclusive culture: gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and straight members are all welcome and present in meetings nationwide. The fellowship is for the person struggling with the compulsion; partners and family members are typically directed to S-Anon, COSA, or other fellowships designed for their experience.
Why Peer Support Works
Compulsive sexual behavior thrives in shame and secrecy. Walking into a room — physical or virtual — where other people speak openly about the same struggles, without judgment, often does what nothing else has: it breaks the isolation, normalizes the experience, and shows that recovery is possible. SCA’s longevity as a fellowship reflects how reliably the 12-step community model supports long-term change when paired with the steps themselves and, for many members, therapy.
How to Join
SCA is free and self-supported through member contributions. Find a meeting at sca-recovery.org, which lists in-person meetings by city, phone meetings, and video meetings throughout the week. The site also includes program literature, sponsor information, and answers to common questions for people considering their first meeting. Meetings are open to anyone with a desire to recover; no referral or paperwork is needed.