Alcoholics Anonymous

What is “The Big Book?”

“The Big Book” is the book that all 12-Step programs are based upon. The actual title of the book is “Alcoholics Anonymous,” (which is where the name of the first 12-Step groups came from), but over time it has come to be known as The Big Book. It was written in 1939 by Bill Wilson. After …Continue reading →

3,158

Mar

Spoken & Unspoken Meeting Rules

Here is a list of what I consider to be the main “rules of the road” for those of you who decide to check-out some 12-Step meetings. This is not an “official” list (I don’t think there is one), but rather, it is just a bunch of observations I have made over the years. Anonymity. …Continue reading →

1,582

Mar

There Are Different Types of OA Meetings

When I first started going to OA, way back in the late 1980’s, all I knew about Overeater’s Anonymous was a hazy memory of a commercial from the late ’70’s showing a person opening and closing a refrigerator door over and over again, and a voice-over asking me if I ate when I wasn’t hungry, or …Continue reading →

1,687

Mar

What is a “sponsor” and how do I get one?

A “sponsor” is a person you call and meet with for support. You choose a sponsor based upon hearing them speak at meetings and seeing something in that person that you would like to have for yourself. For example, potential sponsors may have lost and kept-off a large amount of weight, or maybe they have conquered an …Continue reading →

13,149

Mar

What is “abstinence?”

You probably already know that when alcoholics in recovery say they are “sober,” it means that they are not drinking any alcohol. But when food addicts in recovery say they are “abstinent,” does this mean that they are not eating any food? Of course not. In OA, “abstinence” is the word used to describe freedom from eating compulsively. What does that …Continue reading →

1,195

Mar

May The Force Be With You!

One of my favorite tricks that just “came to me” one day is the idea of picturing a force field around myself that protects me from grabbing extra food. (I put the words came to me in quotes because I know I didn’t come up with this on my own – – I really believe …Continue reading →

1,694

Mar

Find Your Passion Through Healthy Distractions

One of the greatest gifts I have received as a result of doing the 12 Steps is the gift of a clear mind. This has enabled me to finally be able to just “be,” at least most of the times. There are still moments when I have that feeling that I am “supposed” to be …Continue reading →

2,530

Mar

The Dreaded “Hot Dog Diet”

When I was in the 5th grade, I had to go to the classroom across the hall for reading. I guess that was my “punishment” for being in the advanced group. And punishment it was. For whatever reason, the teacher in that room put my desk in the furthest back corner facing the windows (everyone …Continue reading →

300

Mar

Step 2, Part 2: “…restore us to sanity.”

Before we can take the 2nd part of Step 2, we have to understand exactly what it is saying. And what it is saying is that we addicts are insane. Only recently have I really accepted this to be the truth. For years I glossed over this issue, thinking it referred to people who were “more …Continue reading →

6,998

Mar

Perfectionism

At first glance, you may think that this character trait is a good thing. In fact, it reminds me of that piece of advice given for job interviews: when asked what your biggest weakness is, tell them that you are just “too” organized or “too” responsible so they think your only flaw is that you are …Continue reading →

2,129

Mar

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