Three circles

The first use of the term is found in a pamphlet publication of Sex Addicts Anonymous, entitled "Three circles: Defining sobriety in S.A.A."

The addict then lists behaviors in each of the circles that reset, endanger or promote their sobriety.

Engaging in any of these "inner circle" or "bottom-line" behaviors would result in a loss of sobriety for the addict.

Addicts typically consider their "sobriety date" to be the last day they engaged in these "inner circle" behaviors.

This visual image of three circles can help addicts realize when they are in trouble and what they need to do to move closer to their definition of a healthy behavior.