Our program is based on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Meeting formats may vary. For example, some meetings feature a speaker while others focus on studying the 12 Steps. HOW meetings are those that offer suggestions for recovery. Chips are small tokens given for accomplishments along the way. We suggest you try more than one type of meeting. Smoking is not permitted.
Meetings are gatherings of two or more compulsive eaters who come together to share their personal experience and the strength and hope OA has given them. They are usually held once a week and run from an hour to an hour and a half. Though there are many types of meetings, fellowship with other compulsive eaters is the basis of them all.
OA has about 6,500 registered meetings in over 80 countries. If you can’t find a face-to-face meeting in your area, consider an online meeting or telephone meeting. These meetings can be located under the appropriate tab on the Find a Meeting page. These are a great resource when face-to-face meetings can’t be found in your area or you find yourself housebound for one reason or another. Many of our members have found strong recovery through these meetings.
Meeting Definitions: According to the Traditions, bylaws and policies of OA, the only requirement for OA membership is the desire to stop eating compulsively. We ask each person attending to respect the meeting’s group conscience. All registered meetings welcome and give a voice to any person who has the desire to stop eating compulsively.
Open Meeting: Open to OA members and non-OA visitors. All meetings are considered open unless otherwise indicated.
Closed Meeting: Restricted to those who desire to stop eating compulsively (OA members and others who think they may have a problem with food).
NOTE: Not all meetings have a Special Focus or Special Topic.
Special Focus Meetings (gay and lesbian, women’s, 100-pounders, maintainers, anorexic/bulimic, etc.) are composed of individuals who feel they can more readily identify with fellow OAers with similar attributes.
Special Topic Meetings (Big Book Study, Lifeline, Speaker, Newcomer, etc.) have a defined topic of discussion.
Meeting Information: Please be aware that meeting information is as current as the communication the World Service Office (WSO) receives from the groups. Though each meeting shows a contact name and phone number, it isn’t necessary to call a meeting’s contact person to attend a meeting. However, the contact person can confirm the meeting place and time, give you directions to the meeting, and answer questions about the program.
OA has about 6,500 registered meetings in over 80 countries. If you can’t find a face-to-face meeting in your area, consider an online meeting or telephone meeting. These meetings can be located under the appropriate tab on the Find a Meeting page. These are a great resource when face-to-face meetings can’t be found in your area or you find yourself housebound for one reason or another. Many of our members have found strong recovery through these meetings.
Meeting Definitions: According to the Traditions, bylaws and policies of OA, the only requirement for OA membership is the desire to stop eating compulsively. We ask each person attending to respect the meeting’s group conscience. All registered meetings welcome and give a voice to any person who has the desire to stop eating compulsively.
Open Meeting: Open to OA members and non-OA visitors. All meetings are considered open unless otherwise indicated.
Closed Meeting: Restricted to those who desire to stop eating compulsively (OA members and others who think they may have a problem with food).
NOTE: Not all meetings have a Special Focus or Special Topic.
Special Focus Meetings (gay and lesbian, women’s, 100-pounders, maintainers, anorexic/bulimic, etc.) are composed of individuals who feel they can more readily identify with fellow OAers with similar attributes.
Special Topic Meetings (Big Book Study, Lifeline, Speaker, Newcomer, etc.) have a defined topic of discussion.
Meeting Information: Please be aware that meeting information is as current as the communication the World Service Office (WSO) receives from the groups. Though each meeting shows a contact name and phone number, it isn’t necessary to call a meeting’s contact person to attend a meeting. However, the contact person can confirm the meeting place and time, give you directions to the meeting, and answer questions about the program.