|  | Conditions Treatments | Eating Disorders

Things Discussed at Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is a program designed to help compulsive eaters recover from overeating that has taken a great toll on their life. Overeating can affect a person's mental state, weight and relationships with other people and the outside world. Overeaters Anonymous meetings bring people with similar disorders together in order to provide support and encouragement so that they can be successful at recovery.

  1. The Twelve Steps

    • After arriving at the meeting and saying the Serenity Prayer, someone may share with you "Our Invitation to You" which describes compulsive eating as a disease and finding the solution through the Twelve Steps. The steps are accomplished with the help of a higher power or God; however, OA as a program doesn't identify with one religion. The Twelve Steps are there to help you on your road to recovery, not just spiritually but physically and emotionally also. A speaker may also share their journey through the steps at the meeting.

    The Twelve Traditions

    • The Twelve Traditions are more targeted to Overeaters Anonymous groups or chapters. The traditions are guidelines for what a chapter of OA should be and represent. These are discussed towards the beginning of the meeting and are more identified with leadership roles such as the Board of Trustees, greeters and service members. OA is to have no opinion or association with outside societal issues that would deter them from their main purpose, which is to carry the message to other suffering compulsive eaters. The one requirement is that a person must desire to be able to stop eating compulsively.

    Personal Success Stories

    • Personal success stories are an important part of Overeaters Anonymous because they remind compulsive eaters that they are not alone, and through sharing another participant's experience, they can gain strength and hope that one day they will know and achieve recovery. Third and seventh step prayer pace markers are used as part of an addict's success to encourage participants to complete the program without relapsing. You will also have the chance to exchange phone numbers with others at the meeting so that you have the option to communicate and talk with your group members outside of meetings.

Eating Disorders - Related Articles