hi i was talking with a non banded friend of mine this past weekend about food issues, addiction etc. my family is full of alcohal, drug addiction. my addiction is to food she has basically the same story.

so neither of us have been to OA just wondering what its like? i have been to AA and NA meetings before (wild youth, parents sent me to rehab) and dont really care for the 12 step based programs. is OA based on the same 12 steps? did you get anything out of it?

This is the only thing ive seen around (and not even in australia thus far) for food addiction, or addictive behaviours (planning next meal way in advance, spending too much on food, emotional eating etc)

but i really dislike the 12 steps and have massive problems with it.

1. i dont know if i believe in god, and if i do then he or she cares more about training bees to make honey then my fat.

2. i dont like the idea of not owning my shortcomings. if i am not in control of the fact i overeat and emotionally eat, how can i possibly change it?

3. i just would love somewhere that supports and shares on how best to overcome these eating issues rationally and logically?

do these kinds of things exist? do i need to just find a helpful counsellor?

~Illi

My problem with these programs is that they are all so religion based. I personally don't believe in god, but why shouldn't I get some support too? My husband was having trouble with alcohol awhile back, and I made him go to AA. He went once and never went back because all they talked about was god. I wish there was a way to get support for your issues without having to believe in god, I mean we are still humans even if we aren't christians.

I attend online OA meetings. I do believe in God, but you don't have to believe to attend or even follow the program. You just need to believe in something more powerful than yourself- even if that is just the group of people around you. It is helpful to have all the support you can- talking it out in a group makes things feel more real to me, so it gives me accountablity to someone other than myself. I lie to myself all the time, but I tend to be more honest with others.

Overeaters Anonymous - Welcome to Overeaters Anonymous

I am currently an OA member and, for me, it has changed my life. I, personally, think it has made life easier following my surgery. It is emotional and it is work but, for me, I am striving for not only physical but emotional wellness.

It is a 12 step program and you are supposed to have a sponsor and call in your food everyday and so on but you can work the program whatever way you want. For example, I am a mother of a 3 and a 5 year old, work full time, was just banded in May, am working out 4 times a week and go to one face to face meeting a week. I can't possibly make the calls and do the homework I maybe should be doing but I am not judged either. I am entirely accepted for who I am, where my addiction has taken me, and what path of recovery I want to take. When I am feeling a binge coming on, I know I can call my sponsor or another OA member to help me talk me through it and not take that ever disasterous first bite! The other thing to know is that it can be overly spiritual for some people but you don't have to believe in "God" to be a part of it.

You can try a phone meeting to see if it is for you. Go onto the oa.org website and search for a phone meeting.

Just like this website, to have someone else who understands you and what you have been through makes A WORLD of difference, at least to me.

Good luck,

Katie

thanks Katie. your response was the best yet. I still dont think I believe in the 12 steps, but i do like the idea of a sponsor and helpful people who can understand where your coming from. I still dont think they have it in australia but ill have a look now.

Thanks, Bec

This is the only thing ive seen around (and not even in australia thus far) for food addiction, or addictive behaviours (planning next meal way in advance, spending too much on food, emotional eating etc)

but i really dislike the 12 steps and have massive problems with it.

1. i dont know if i believe in god, and if i do then he or she cares more about training bees to make honey then my fat.

2. i dont like the idea of not owning my shortcomings. if i am not in control of the fact i overeat and emotionally eat, how can i possibly change it?

3. i just would love somewhere that supports and shares on how best to overcome these eating issues rationally and logically?

do these kinds of things exist? do i need to just find a helpful counsellor?

~Illi

Thank you. Do the information you give is correct?

Hi, I was very active in OA like 25 years ago, I was only 20 at the time lost lots of weight, than life got in the way got married moved etc. Went back again few years ago, problem is I am a guy and thier are not alot of men. And I found it hard to relate to the few men who were in the group It is worth giving it a try. I have thought recently about going back.