The Tools of Recovery
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
- Action Plan
- Anonymity
- Service
In Overeaters Anonymous (OA), abstinence is “the action of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight.” 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. For more information on the tools of recovery read the pamphlet Tools of Recovery.
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:
Want a Speakers List for either the Silicon Valley Intergroup and/or Region 2? Send an email to the Speaker List Chairperson (for OA members only).
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. Check back frequently for updates.
The Sacramento Valley OA Intergroup also shares its audio files. There are many MP3 files available here from Sacremento’s OA Birthday Party talks, Days in OA and Retreats.
Here are some additional sources: