Tools of Recovery
In Overeaters Anonymous (OA), the definitions of "Abstinence" and "Recovery" are:
Abstinence: The act of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight.
Recovery: Removal of the nee dot engage in compulsive eating behaviors.
Spiritual, emotional and physical recovery is the result of living the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve-Step program.
Many of us have found that we cannot abstain from compulsive eating unless we use some or all of OA’s nine Tools of Recovery. The Tools of Recovery are some methods through which we work and live the Twelve Steps. In order for a tool to work, it must be used. Unless we act upon them, there can be no recovery.
The nine tools are:
Abstinence: The act of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight.
Recovery: Removal of the nee dot engage in compulsive eating behaviors.
Spiritual, emotional and physical recovery is the result of living the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve-Step program.
Many of us have found that we cannot abstain from compulsive eating unless we use some or all of OA’s nine Tools of Recovery. The Tools of Recovery are some methods through which we work and live the Twelve Steps. In order for a tool to work, it must be used. Unless we act upon them, there can be no recovery.
The nine tools are:
A Plan of Eating
As a tool, a plan of eating helps us abstain from eating compulsively. Having a personal plan of eating guides us in our dietary decisions, as well as defines what, when, how, where and why we eat. It is our experience that sharing this plan with a sponsor or another OA member is important. Although individual plans of eating are as varied as our members, most OA members agree that some plan--no matter how flexible or structured--is necessary.
Sponsorship
Sponsors are OA members who are committed to a plan of eating and to living the twelve steps and twelve traditions to the best of their ability. We ask a sponsor to guide us through our program of recovery on all three levels: physical, emotional and spiritual. Ours is a program of attraction; find a sponsor who has what you want and ask how it was achieved.
Meetings
are gatherings of two or more compulsive overeaters who come together to share their experience before and after recovery and to share the strength and hope OA has given them. Fellowship is the basis of all the meetings.
Telephone
Compulsive eating is a disease of isolation. The telephone is a means of communicating with another compulsive overeater between meetings and is a daily link with our sponsors.
Literature
We study Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book and AA's Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and OA literature to reinforce our program. By substituting food and compulsive overeating for alcohol and alcoholism, we can identify closely.
A Plan of Action
A plan of action is the process of identifying and implementing attainable actions, both daily and long-term, that are necessary to support our individual abstinence and emotional, spiritual and physical recovery. While the plan is ours, tailored to our own recovery process, most of us find it important to work with a sponsor, fellow OA member and/or appropriate professional to help us create it. This tool, like our plan of eating, may vary widely among members and may need to be adjusted as we progress in our recovery.
For example, a newcomer’s action plan might focus on planning, shopping for and preparing food. Some members may need a regular fitness routine to improve strength and health, while others may need to set exercise limits in order to attain more balance. Some of us may need an action plan that includes time for meditation and relaxation or provides strategies for balancing work, personal interactions with family and friends, and our program. Others may need help to organize their homes; deal with their finances; and address medical, dental or mental health issues.
Along with working the Steps on a daily basis, an action plan may incorporate use of the other OA tools to bring structure, balance and manageability into our lives. As we use this tool, we find that we develop a feeling of serenity and continue to grow emotionally and spiritually while we make measurable progress one day at a time
For example, a newcomer’s action plan might focus on planning, shopping for and preparing food. Some members may need a regular fitness routine to improve strength and health, while others may need to set exercise limits in order to attain more balance. Some of us may need an action plan that includes time for meditation and relaxation or provides strategies for balancing work, personal interactions with family and friends, and our program. Others may need help to organize their homes; deal with their finances; and address medical, dental or mental health issues.
Along with working the Steps on a daily basis, an action plan may incorporate use of the other OA tools to bring structure, balance and manageability into our lives. As we use this tool, we find that we develop a feeling of serenity and continue to grow emotionally and spiritually while we make measurable progress one day at a time
Anonymity
is a tool as well as a tradition because it guarantees that we will place principles before personalities. It offers each of us freedom of expression and protection against gossip. It means that whatever we share with another OA member will be held in respect and confidence.
Writing
There's magic in writing--it is a healing experience, and an indispensable tool for working the steps. When we put our difficulties down on paper, it becomes easier to see situations more clearly and perhaps better discern any necessary action.
Service
Carrying the message to the compulsive overeater who still suffers is the basic purpose of our fellowship, and therefore the most fundamental form of service. Any service no matter how small, that will help reach a fellow suffer adds to the quality of our own recovery. Getting to meetings, putting away chairs, putting out the literature, talking to newcomers, unlocking the room, are ways in which we give back what we have so generously been given. DO WHAT YOU CAN WHEN YOU CAN.