Overeaters Anonymous is a proven program of recovery patterned after the 12 Steps and Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. OA doesn’t concern itself with the medical aspects of obesity, anorexia or bulimia, but rather with the compulsive nature of overeating and other eating disorders. OA believes that compulsive eating is a threefold disease: physical, emotional and spiritual, which, like alcoholism and drug abuse, can be arrested, but not cured. The OA program is a global community resource that supports, but doesn’t replace, professional services, such as counseling, medication, treatment programs, and other modalities.
OA claims no medical or nutritional expertise. We encourage members to seek professional guidance and a plan of eating that allows them to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. Professionals may also work with clients who are at a healthy body weight, yet struggle with compulsive eating, restricting, bulimia or anorexia. OA offers hope and recovery to these individuals as well.
Resources for professionals:
Introduction to OA for the HCP
When to Refer Someone to OA
Patient/Client Flyer
FAQs About OA
Newsletter for Professionals
NIH journal articles:
Overeaters Anonymous: An Overlooked Intervention for Binge Eating Disorder
Overeaters Anonymous: A Mutual-Help Fellowship for Food Addiction Recovery