Overeaters Anonymous

This is the program I work to maintain my weight loss.  I love their definition of abstinence. 

Abstinence in OA 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 the OA 12-Step program.

Hi Jill,

I have not been to OA in many years.  Perhaps this would be a good time to look for a meeting in my area.  Not overeating now as I am only 6 weeks post op.  I completed much counseling before surgery and know it is important for me to have ongoing support.  Thanks for sharing.

Phyllis

I've recently read about the science of AA and I wonder if OA has the same issues?  

http://www.salon.com/2014/03/23/the_pseudo_science_of_alcoho lics_anonymous_theres_a_better_way_to_treat_addiction/

Great article, Gwen.  I've thought about attending OA meetings, but I have ideological challenges with the 12 steps.

The science and research that's coming out is pretty fascinating.  As they say, the plural of anecdote is not data!  

Regardless of what the article had to say, I'm a firm believer.  I got sober in AA after I developed alcoholism after my WLS.  I tried a variety of other things, including in-patient rehab, intensive outpatient therapy and private counseling.  Nothing helped me stay sober but working the 12 steps.  I don't know why they work, but I know they do.  Interestingly, I run a group on FB called Transfer Addictions after Weight Loss Surgery.  I recently decided to poll the group to see how people were doing, if they were sober, for how long, and what was working for them.  Gotta tell you that the ones who are successfully staying sober for any length of time, are doing it using AA.  A LOT of people are reluctant to go to AA (or OA, I guess) for one reason or another.  I can only tell you that it worked for me, and I know lots of people it has worked for as well.  When someone is hesitant, I tell them to do whatever it takes.  They can try a million different things.  They have to find what works for them.  I just share what works for me.

The 12-steps work because they give a person new coping skills other than turning to their addiction to cope with their struggles in life. 

It's great that it has worked for you! 

I've always said - and will continue to say - that OA is just another tool in the toolbelt.  I was in OA for 8 years before having surgery and I never got skinny...but it certainly helped me a LOT with cleaning up the emotional damage I had created in myself and others with my compulsive eating behavior.  

I had gone waaaaay too far down the road of food addiction and needed ALL the tools to help me.  I still need OA...and I still need therapy on a regular basis...and I still need exercise...and I still need support group meetings (if they aren't run by idiots!).  And I will always need my VSG tool.  

Any time I believe that I've gotten too smart or too good for any of these tools, I end up in a bad place! 

And any tool that helps a person is worthwhile!