What is Overeaters Anonymous (OA), and what helps between meetings?
Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is a free 12-step fellowship for people who want to stop eating compulsively. It works through meetings, sponsorship, the Twelve Steps and nine tools of recovery. Anyone can join, whatever their weight. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins.
OA at a glance
- Founded: January 19, 1960, in Hollywood, California
- Cost: free, supported by voluntary contributions
- Who can join: anyone who wants to stop eating compulsively
- Meetings: about 5,600 in about 75 countries, in person, online and by phone (figures from OA's own website)
- Affiliation: not affiliated with any religion or outside organization
How does OA work?
OA follows the Twelve Steps, adapted for compulsive eating, plus nine tools: a plan of eating, sponsorship, meetings, the telephone, writing, literature, an action plan, anonymity and service.
In OA, abstinence means refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight. It is about behavior, and there are no weigh-ins at meetings.
What is an OA meeting like?
Most last about an hour. Members introduce themselves by first name, hear readings from OA literature and share their experience. You can speak, or you can just listen. Every meeting is a little different, so try a few. You can search OA's Find a Meeting page.
Who is OA for?
OA's own list of common experiences includes:
- eating when you are not hungry
- bingeing for no apparent reason
- eating sensibly in front of others, then "making up for it" alone
- spending much of the day thinking about food and weight
OA's stated purpose is recovery from compulsive eating through the Twelve Steps. Restricting or purging can be medically serious, so see a doctor as well. OA itself says it does not interfere with professional guidance.
What helps between OA meetings?
The urge rarely waits for a meeting. It shows up at 11pm in the kitchen, or after a hard day. OA members use the telephone tool for this: calling or texting a sponsor or another member.
When nobody is awake, an AI companion can fill the gap. You can text it at any hour, it does not flinch at what you ate, and it helps you slow down and get to your next meeting or call.
What an AI sponsor is not
- Not a doctor or dietitian. It does not give diet, calorie or weight advice.
- Not a sponsor or a meeting. It is a bridge to them, not a replacement.
- Not affiliated with OA. OA's Traditions say an OA group should never endorse or lend the OA name to an outside enterprise.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or text HOME to 741741.
Common questions
Is Overeaters Anonymous free?
Yes. There are no dues or fees.
Do I have to be overweight to join OA?
No. Anyone who wants to stop eating compulsively is welcome, whatever their age or weight.
Are there weigh-ins at OA?
No. There are no weigh-ins, no fees and no judgment.
Do I have to believe in God to join OA?
No. OA welcomes atheists and agnostics, and each person is free to interpret "Higher Power" in their own way.
Can an AI help between OA meetings?
Yes, in the hours between meetings. It does not replace a sponsor, a meeting or a doctor.
Related: What is an AI sponsor, and what is it good at? and What is Debtors Anonymous, and what helps between meetings?
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