You don’t need to understand everything at once—this is simply a place to begin.
OA is a community of people who support one another in recovering from compulsive eating. No matter what your experience with food or eating behaviors may be, you are welcome here. Our Twelve Step program offers a path of recovery that we practice together, one day at a time. This page offers a simple introduction to a few ideas you may encounter.
A few helpful terms and concepts
In OA, abstinence and recovery are described this way:
Abstinence is the action of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight.
Spiritual, emotional, and physical recovery is the result of living and working the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve Step program on a daily basis.
Tools of Recovery
OA members use a variety of tools to support their recovery:
Plan of eating
A plan of eating supports us by guiding our food choices and helping us avoid foods that may cause us problems.
Sponsorship
Sponsors are members who share their experience and offer guidance and support as we learn about the program and the Twelve Steps.
Meetings
Meetings provide a place to connect, listen, and share with others in recovery. Our global Fellowship offers meetings in many formats—in person, online, and by phone—in communities around the world. For many members, meetings are a place to begin and a way to stay connected.
Telephone
We connect with one another between meetings—by phone, text, or other means—to offer and receive support and encouragement.
Writing
Some call it journaling. Putting our thoughts and feelings down on paper helps us better understand our actions and reactions in ways that thinking or talking alone may not.
Literature
OA literature shares the experience, strength, and hope of other OA members, offering insight and helping us see that recovery is possible.
Action plan
An action plan can help bring structure, balance, and manageability to our daily lives, supporting our abstinence and recovery. It can be adjusted over time as our needs change.
Anonymity
Anonymity helps create a safe and respectful environment where members can share openly, with confidence that what is shared—and our participation in OA—is kept confidential.
Service
Service—no matter how small—helps support others and strengthens our own recovery. It also strengthens our Fellowship and offers opportunities for connection with others.
A typical day in OA
Here are a few glimpses into the lives of four OA members and how they bring the program into their daily lives.
Sara, who is just getting started in OA, begins her day with a short reading. In the evening, she attends an online meeting and writes down a few phone numbers so she can connect with others later—she has some questions and hopes they can help. Before bed, she takes a few minutes to reflect and realizes the “food noise” in her head was a little quieter today.
Joe connects with his sponsor in the morning and spends about 20 minutes working on the Steps. He checks in with another member in the afternoon and listens to a phone meeting on his way home. By the end of the day, he feels tired but satisfied with the progress he’s made, and grateful for the support from his sponsor.
Marie attends her local meeting and helps set up chairs before it begins. During the meeting, she shares about her progress and some new understandings in her recovery. Afterward, she stays to talk with others and welcomes a newcomer, doing her best to answer their questions. She feels grateful to be able to offer support.
David has a difficult work meeting late in the morning and notices he feels drawn to snacks laid out in the break room. He pauses, takes a breath, and connects with another member before returning to the lunch he brought from home. Later, he goes for a walk, using the time to reflect and reset before the evening. Before going to bed, he sends his sponsor a quick text about his plans for the next day, including a meeting.
A gentle reminder
Many members find that their understanding grows over time. You can return to these ideas whenever you’re ready and explore at your own pace.
Return to A Place to Begin for more ways to get started.