The OA Preamble:
Overeaters Anonymous is a Fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength, and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for members; we are self- supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology, or religious doctrine; we take no position on outside issues. Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors and to carry the message of recovery through the Twelve Steps of OA to those who still suffer.
Do I belong in OA?
Our symptoms may vary, but we share a common bond: we are powerless over food, and our lives have become unmanageable. This common problem has led those in OA to seek and find a common solution in the Twelve Steps with the assistance of the Twelve Traditions of OA and our nine Tools.
How does OA work?
Many OA members understand compulsive eating as having physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects. Through experience, we have found that working OA’s Twelve Steps can support recovery in all three areas.
The Twelve Steps provide a set of actions that help members make meaningful changes in their lives. As we work the Steps, we begin to let go of old attitudes and behaviors and develop a healthier relationship with food. Many members find that the obsessive thoughts and behaviors around food begin to lessen, leading to lasting freedom from food obsession.
Members usually work the Steps with the support of a sponsor—an OA member who shares their experience and offers guidance through the process.
What resources are available to me?
OA offers a wide range of literature and resources to support recovery. Books, pamphlets, and other materials share the experience, strength, and hope of OA members and explain how the program works.
Many documents are available to download for free on the website. Additional books and literature can be purchased through the OA bookstore.
You can also explore personal stories, podcasts, and recovery resources on the OA website and through Lifeline, a collection of member stories.
These materials can help you learn more about the program and how other members have found recovery in OA.
What is my next step?
A good next step is to attend an OA meeting. In-person meetings are held in many parts of the world, and online and phone meetings can be attended from almost anywhere.
Each meeting has its own format and atmosphere. Many people find it helpful to try several different meetings to see which ones feel most comfortable.
At meetings, members share their experience, strength, and hope as they work the OA program. Listening to others can help you learn more about recovery and decide whether OA might be right for you.
Through attending meetings, working the Twelve Steps, and using the OA Tools, members find lasting freedom from food obsession and develop a healthier relationship with food.