Overeaters Anonymous

Does anyone on this forum get involved with OA or Food Addict Anonymous? I would like to get some support on this addiction and I am hoping to find some folks here if possible.

I was involved in OA for about 15 years.  I have been primarily involved in AA  now.   OA is a great place for face to face support in following your food plan.  I would recommend them.  They have a website.  www.oa.org Good luck.

Hi Trish, It has been a while since I stopped in here. I am so glad to see this post as I have been thinking of trying it out. I have gone to NA for 3 years primarily applying it to my eating and shopping issues altho at one time I was addicted to pain pills from an overly " generous" Dr. I am having a hard time with it ( NA) I know it is all about looking at the similarities and not the differences I have to be honest it is a bit hard sometimes.  I am Not judging ANYONE! I really do in theoretically understand but I am a nurse who never got in a speck of trouble and used meds I was prescribed. My disease likes to live in other areas and it is just hard. I feel guilty as I strive to be the Queen of open-mindedness.I am struggling relating as no one comes to local meetings who has a similar problem. Most end up there because the courts sent them. I think OE would have been a better choice from the start but I knew someone in NA. I gave it my heart and soul and I simply do not want to go anymore.I believe in the steps so I want to stay in a 12 step program. Thanks for the link info. laurie

Laurie, I totally understand your situation.  I have attended NA in the past, as I was helping a friend who was new to recovery at one point.  I had trouble relating to people.   I have not been to an OA meeting in a while, as I was advised by my shrink to focus on my AA recovery at one point.  I have been thinking of attending OA again, as the food monster has been haunting me lately.   Good luck, Trish

Thanks for the response Trish. We have written back and forth for quite a while and I respect your insight. I respect in many ways the people in NA. I totally get 12 step programs and have gained so much from my time in one. I know and believe addiction is an insidious disease that can surface anywhere in my life. I find I have introduced things into my life via my involvement  which was quite involved and I am not prepared to deal with some of the issues. Caring about someone wanting to help finds me twelve stepping at crack houses and this old lady never would otherwise be found there in my 5 decades. I have to ask how do I do this? I do not think I can anymore. Not judging people just feel I am in over my head. Does that make sense?

Of course it makes sense.  You have to take care of you first and foremost.  I am not sure I would 12 step in crackhouses myself, and I am a social worker.   I do know people in AA whose primary addictions were drugs, but they found AA more in tune with their recovery.  Somehow they are able to call themselves alcoholics.  It's just a suggestion.  There is a different type of population, for the most part, in AA. Still, OA is definitely good for us food addicts, and I am thinking of getting my butt back to it.  Right now, I have to pick up my meeting attendance in AA, as I have not been to one since Friday and that is not good. Take care.  It is always good to talk to you. Hugs, Trish