Bottom-line behaviors are self-defined activities which we refrain from in order to experience our physical, mental, emotional, sexual and spiritual wholeness.
Recovery begins with admitting that following our addictive path is making our lives unmanageable
and we are powerless to stop. Each person in S.L.A.A. acts out differently. Therefore, our bottom lines
are self-defined. It is up to each one of us, with the help of our Higher Power, our sponsor and others to
learn to recognize our addictive patterns. We can then set bottom lines, which we refrain from in order
to stay sober.
For example, here are some possible bottom-lines:
- Having sex with someone who is married
- Pursuing a new relationship before ending an existing one
- Having sex outside of a committed, monogamous relationship
- Following someone home uninvited
- Doing anything that could reasonably get me arrested
- Lying to my spouse
- Having anonymous sex
- Going to strip clubs and peepshows
- Having unprotected sex
- Having sex when I don’t want to
- Pursuing inappropriate or unavailable people
- Compulsively avoiding sex in a committed, long-term relationship
- Not entering or leaving a relationship without consulting my Higher Power and trusted advisors
©2006 The Augustine Fellowship, S.L.A.A., Fellowship-Wide Services, Inc.
Excerpt from Setting Bottom Lines: A Pamphlet with Worksheets
It is strongly suggested that you get the help of your sponsor or another trusted S.L.A.A. member when setting or changing your bottom line behaviors.