In working Overeaters Anonymous' Twelve-Step program of recovery from compulsive overeating, we have found a number of tools to assist us. We use these tools regularly to help us achieve and maintain abstinence.

• A Plan of Eating
• Sponsorship
• Meetings
• Telephone
• Writing
• Literature
• Anonymity
• Service

In Overeaters Anonymous (OA), abstinence is "the action of refraining from compulsive eating." Many of us have found that we cannot abstain from compulsive eating unless we use some or all of OA's eight tools of recovery.  For more information on the tools of recovery read the pamphlet Tools of Recovery or click this link to read about the tools on the OA World Service website.

Temporary Sponsorship

The Temporary Sponsorship program helps newcomers and members who do not have a permanent sponsor. Sponsors are OA members who are living the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions to the best of their ability. They are willing to share their recovery with other members of the Fellowship and are committed to abstinence. If you need a temporary sponsor, send an email to the Temporary Sponsor Chairperson.

Are you interested in strengthening your program by doing service for others? To become a temporary sponsor for food plans or step work, please send an email to the Temporary Sponsor Chairperson.

Our literature says: "As we give back what we've been given, we strengthen our group and the Fellowship as a whole. OA needs sponsors. Discuss sponsoring with your own sponsor, then begin when you both feel it's right."

Speakers List:

Request a Speakers List for either the Silicon Valley Intergroup and/or Region 2 (for OA members only) send an email to the Speaker List Chairperson.

Downloadable OA Speakers:

The Los Angeles OA Intergroup maintains a 'Virtual Speakers Bureau".  This page contains MP3 sound files of speakers with long term abstinence sharing their experience, strength and hope (and an average of over 25 years in the program). This is from the official website of the Los Angeles Intergroup of OA, and contains no outside affiliations. It is simply here as a service to fellow OA members around the world. These MP3 files can be played directly on the computer or downloaded for later use in portable sound players such as I-Pods, etc. There are currently (as of 08/11/2008) over 90 hours of speakers in 137 mp3 files from 121 different speakers and more are added all the time.  Check back frequently for updates.

The Sacramento Valley OA Intergroup also has many MP3 files at this link.  There are currently (as of 08/11/2008) over 83 MP3 files available here from Sacremento's OA Birthday Party talks, Days in OA and Retreats.

In addition, the following OA Intergroups, Regions and the WSO have additional MP3 files and podcasts of OA speakers available:

• Boston Speakers   
• Kansas Speakers   
• OA WSO Podcasts   
• Region 7 Speakers   
• Omaha Speakers   
• Inland Empire Speakers  
• Northern Virginia Speakers

Portions copyrighted by Overeaters Anonymous, Inc.  Copyright © 1996-2006 all rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission of Overeaters Anonymous, Inc., World Service Office. Copyright material may  not be reproduced in any manner without written permission of OA, Inc.

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