OA Views on Eating Disorders
OA is a group that helps people who have problems with eating. They use a program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that helps people with physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery from the problem. Anyone who wants to stop eating compulsively can join the group, and there are no fees. People with different types of disorders such as compulsive eating, anorexia, and bulimia can join the group. The members come in different shapes and sizes, and some have been in other recovery programs before joining OA.
We don’t require any specific diet plan because they believe there are many factors involved in determining what is healthy for each person. They also don’t have any opinions on other medical or psychological needs.
Instead, their members support each other by sharing their experiences, strength, and hope.
Complementing the Professional Community with Overeaters Anonymous
Many professional organizations and institutions work with OA members to inform other professionals and the public about compulsive eating and the resources available in OA to address this problem. OA is not in competition with the professional community. On the contrary, many members consider OA to be a complement to the professional services they receive. In part, OA works because it offers an ongoing support system for members and encourages them to help one another, thereby weakening their isolation and loneliness. OA members provide this support by sharing their experience, strength, and hope with one another. OA claims no medical, nutritional, or psychological expertise. It suggests that interested members contact qualified professionals for help in these areas.
We are willing to meet with you or your patients to discuss the program and our individual experiences along the path of recovery if our anonymity is not compromised. We must always maintain our individual anonymity at the level of press, radio, television, and other forms of public media. If you would like to talk with someone, please contact us through our Service Board and someone will contact you shortly.
To read the latest News and Information for The Professional Community in the Courier newsletter for professionals. Check out this sample issue of the Courier. In this newsletter, you can read what other professionals have to say about Overeaters Anonymous.
We hope that this glimpse into OA will help you refer your patients to us. Many people have reached a healthy weight and maintained it by following this program of recovery.
