Fear, loneliness, hopelessness, and embarrassment are some of the many feelings experienced by people suffering from compulsive eating. These feelings can be hard or almost impossible to overcome alone, but Overeaters Anonymous (OA), a 12-step program, helps members throughout the world deal with these issues.
Members of OA range from the morbidly obese to the anorexic. These individuals experience many different symptoms and have various difficulties with food. But what they have in common is the admission that they were powerless over food and their lives had become unmanageable as a result.
OA members work together to recover from compulsive eating. Participants work through the 12-step program with a sponsor. Weekly meetings offer group support and welcome anyone who might be in need of help. OA also offers podcasts, a magazine, online and phone meetings, literature, and e-mail sponsors to keep members on track with their program.
OA members maintain anonymity, which enables the group to offer unconditional acceptance and support for all. The organization is completely self-supporting through member donations and literature sales and does not charge membership fees or dues. Although OA offers many types of support, it is not a source for diet tips, counseling, hospitalization, treatment, research or training. OA’s primary goals are to help members abstain from compulsive eating and to carry the message of recovery to those who still suffer.
Northern Exposure Overeaters Anonymous, the local group, has new beginnings with a new location and time. OA meets every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Lutsen Lutheran Church. For more information or to be put in contact with an OA representative, please call Anna at 663-7324 or 663-7669. Carpooling from Grand Marais is available by calling Denise at 387-2485 or 370- 1058.
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