The Language Of Recovery: Many different terms are used during S.L.A.A. meetings. While many terms are used differently in various S.L.A.A. groups, we will attempt to define a few of the terms commonly used in S.L.A.A..
Abstinence
A change in our behavior that involves stopping the addictive pattern —one day, sometimes one minute, at a time. Abstinence is a beginning point in sobriety.
Acting Out
To engage in addictive behavior. Engaging in a behavior that is on one’s bottom line list is often referred to as having a slip.
Anorexia
The compulsive avoidance of giving or receiving social, sexual or emotional nourishment.
Bottom Line Behaviors
Generally, self-defined activities that we refrain from in order to experience our physical, mental, emotional, sexual and spiritual wholeness.
Boundaries
Self-defined, self-protective limits we use for interaction with persons, places, things, or activities.
Cross-talk
Sometimes known as “feedback.” To respond directly or indirectly to what someone has shared in a meeting; for example, to offer someone answers to their problems, or to engage in dialogue during a meeting.
Group Conscience
A process of decision-making by the group. S.L.A.A. encourages all members to express their views.
SLAA HOW
The Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous H.O.W. concept was created to offer the sex and love addict a disciplined and structured approach to working the Twelve Steps.
Inventory or “Moral” Inventory
A list of qualities within a person, both positive and negative, discovered through self-examination.
Sobriety
Initially, a state of abstinence from addictive bottom-line behaviors; often accompanied by the return of sanity, choice, and personal dignity that comes from abstaining from bottom-line behaviors.
Sobriety Date
Generally, the date we stop engaging in our bottom-line behaviors.
Sponsor
A person who works closely with another member to provide individual support and guidance in applying the S.L.A.A. Twelve Step/Twelve Tradition program. A Sponsor should be a person we are not in danger of acting out with, nor are likely to find intrigue with.
Trigger
A person, place, thing, or environment that sets off an urge to act out.
Withdrawal
The physical, mental, emotional, and often spiritual upheaval which generally accompanies a break in our addictive pattern.
13th Stepping
Manipulating another person in recovery, especially a newcomer, into a sexual, emotional, or romantic relationship.