The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous

by Overeaters Anonymous

This comprehensive work provides a detailed, moving exploration of how the Steps and Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous help members recover and how the Fellowship functions as a whole. Questions after each Tradition are designed to help strengthen your meeting.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Health, Psychology, Addiction, Reference, Mental Health

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative, reading the traditions is very informative about what OA is, and therefore is the most interesting part.

[Christine Baptiste]

So this book is a two part book first part is 12 steps and then the book ends and it becomes 12 traditions. I read this with a friend who used to attend OA meetings and she convinced me to read it with her since it had been so beneficial in her life. I’m all about supporting friends but I was so glad when she suggested we quit after the first half (maybe she could tell I was not feeling it). The parallels between overeating and alcoholism that they make are just not there IMO. I feel like they took the program for AA or NA and just replaced the drugs with food and called it good. Not the same, I don’t feel a need to go make amends to people I hurt when I was hungry (what!?). We haven’t ALL done something crazy for food (i.e. dug through the trash to hide our food addiction or steal money from other people to buy food). Maybe this is the case for some people but I’m hard pressed to believe that is the norm for people who are overweight... Anyway I convinced her to join WW she’s a convert now and this book moves to the new abandoned shelf.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible book for me to read. It's the first non-LDS 12 step recovery book I've ever read, and it was pretty powerful. I especially liked how each step was taken in depth and I have a greater understanding of them and how to use them in my life. It's amazing how these principles apply to so much more than eating.

[Jennifer White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This works.

This works well, when I work it. OA.org is a valuable source of information. I also go to meetings and I have a sponsor. I am maintaining our 185 pound weight loss.

[Irina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a non fiction book and there are no spoilers only hope . Read it and get as much you can . It changed my life !

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

idk how to give this a rating. it's obviously the AA 12 steps but with "compulsive overeating" instead of "alcoholism." some of this translates better than other parts: for instance, does anyone really need to make amends for what they did while they were hungry? but then again, I do get pretty hangry. all jokes aside I'm sure it depends on the person. and this has been a super helpful program for tons of people so it was interesting and educational to read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly encourage you to listen to Lawrie C on YouTube explain page by page the big book on his OA convention speech. Make notes in the big book as he explains it. Makes everything come alive and make sense. Read the two books together the rest of your life if you struggle with food addiction.

[Jaelin Hartwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful body of work

The organization of this book is so helpful as well as useful. Thanks for the information and the great details

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very useful book and great introduction to the 12 principles and 12 traditions. It was interesting understanding how these work for an an addition where abstinence is not an option. What I was surprised by was that the principles could also be called “How to be a decent person”. I will be applying many of the principles in all areas of my life and using the traditions to help guide some decisions for groups or communities I’m part of. Well worth the read.

[JaMaDa]

Dnf somewhere post-page 76...

I started this book back in 2017 & recently picked it back up. When you start to skim a book, it's time to let it go. Some things I resonated with while most just lost my interest or seemed repetitive.

[Pam Strachan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hmm, went to my first meeting last Sunday and think I will be going regularly from now on.

[Dean Zemel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Working a Good Program

Just about as important as the Big Book! And we read about the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions from a compulsive overeating standpoint!

[Angela Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The nuts and bolts of OA. I definitely recommend this and will absolutely be rereading it.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for any who find that food rules their thoughts. Suggested reading for those who do not. The twelve steps and traditions are essentially rules on how to live a life filled with generosity and peace. Not all heavy people are necessarily food addicts. Not all skinny people are immune. This book first outlines the 12 steps of AA as they apply to the disease of compulsive over (or under) eating. At first, the Twelve Traditions may seem like a rule book in how to run a meeting, but they are chock full of suggestions for living a fulfilled life. By the way, you never really finish reading this book. I've read it, am still reading and still want to read this book. Is there a shelf for that?

[A.C. Bauch]

Breaking from this book as well. Will be finished sometime in the new year.

ETA: I finished this book and decided not to rate it, because I'm unsure how to do so. This kind of book, to me, is more like an informational pamphlet in book format.

I think this book would be a helpful, quick read for anyone who wants to know and better understand the foundation on which Overeaters Anonymous is built, while also learning about twelve-step programs in general.

[Gloria Hunsaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Journey of self discovery

Working the Step has been a journey of self discovery; because I've worked the Steps I was not only able to get abstinent, but stay abstinent.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book and OA meetings are alienating to people who do not believe in a god or higher power. Throughout the book, it's stated that OA is not a religious organization. However, "God" and a higher power are the main themes throughout. I regret having spent money on this.

[Truitti]

Ebook, doing the exercises in Word

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My life in a nutshell. I can't explain much more than that...recovery is possible. Lead On.

[Marianne Pita-Esquer]

12 Steps Baby!

[Mary]

I'm going back and forth between OA and AA literature. It is such an adventure, and they are so full of gifts.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was looking for.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definition of each step and tradition.

[Agatha Glowacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summary of 12 steps through the lens of overeaters

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

very helpful for those of us who are COE

[Chris Gager · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way to go for us compulsive overeaters.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Invaluable reading and program for people with eating disorders. Highly recommend the program.

[srggv · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that I will be reading for the rest of my life. If I'm smart!