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In this episode, host Tara McCausland interviews Steven Croshaw, president and co-founder of S.A. Lifeline Foundation, who is also her father. Steven shares his journey of battling sexual addiction, starting from exposure to pornography at a young age, through years of hidden behaviors and relapses, to ultimately achieving sobriety and long-term recovery for nearly two decades. He emphasizes the importance of rigorous honesty, humility, accountability, and the critical role of understanding and addressing trauma for relational healing. The conversation highlights the key aspects of long-term recovery: the significance of embracing compulsive, problematic sexual issues as an addiction; the interplay of lust and shame and what truly drives addiction; working the 12 Steps; developing top lines, bottom lines, and boundaries to sustain sobriety.

Real-life challenges and insights from both Steven and Tara provide a deep, personal perspective on the complexities and rewards of recovery.

Read Steven's article HERE.

00:00 Positive Sobriety & Keys to Long-Term Sex Addiciton Recovery Takes w/ Steven Croshaw
02:20 Steven's Early Struggles with Addiction
04:44 Marriage and Hidden Behaviors
07:02 First Confession and Continued Struggles
08:36 Second Confession and Realization of Addiction
10:14 Arrest and Turning Point
11:30 Understanding Addiction and Recovery
21:49 The Role of Lust and Shame in Addiction
26:16 Defining Sobriety in Recovery
30:54 Understanding Lapses and Relapses
31:47 Keys to Long-Term Recovery
33:31 Daily Practices for Recovery
37:52 Addressing Betrayal Trauma
49:11 The Role of Resentment in Addiction
53:55 Bottom Lines and Top Lines in Recovery
55:51 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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Transcripts

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This podcast episode features a women's 12-step panel from the 2025 S.A. Lifeline Virtual Conference. Moderated by Tara McCausland, the discussion centers on the SAL recovery puzzle, circle models, and how these tools aid in healing from betrayal trauma. The panelists—Madison, Jan, Sarah, and Lisa—share their unique recovery journeys, emphasizing the importance of a willing heart, seeking spiritual connection, humility, honesty, supportive community, qualified therapy, boundaries, and the surrender process. Each woman provides personal insights and practical advice on navigating the complex emotions and challenges in their healing process, reaffirming that recovery is a gradual but achievable goal.

Join us for the upcoming S.A. Lifeline Foundation Vision Cast!

Support the show

SA Lifeline Foundation
SAL 12 Step
Find an SAL12Step Meeting
Donate
Contact to ask questions or make comments
Transcripts

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In this episode of the Pathway to Recovery podcast, host Tara McCausland speaks with therapist Tammy Gustafson about 'incomplete recovery' in the context of sex addiction and how it affects both partners in the relationship. Tammy explains the concept of incomplete recovery, where behavioral changes without deep, relational character work leave partners feeling unsafe and dissatisfied. The episode also explores how triggers are indicators of unresolved trauma needing attention and offers strategies for calming the nervous system. Tammy provides advice for both addicts and betrayed partners, emphasizing the importance of emotional safety, self-compassion, and continued hard work for healing. She recommends shifting from performance-based to identity-based recovery and underscores the necessity of ongoing deep, character-transforming work for genuine recovery.

Want to connect with Tammy? Check out her website here.

Support the show

SA Lifeline Foundation
SAL 12 Step
Find an SAL12Step Meeting
Donate
Contact to ask questions or make comments
Transcripts