Only through Anonymity
When I first came into Overeaters Anonymous, I quickly learned to respect anonymity: who I saw, who said what—none of that was mine to share with anyone.
Anonymity
And Now a Word From Our Founder
A collection of inspiring speeches given by OA’s founder Rozanne S. at World Service Business Conferences in 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2001.
Reflections: A Visit with OA’s Founder
Recorded in 1999 on the occasion of OA’s 40th anniversary, OA’s founder Rozanne S. shares her recollections of OA’s simple beginnings and giant strides. Listen and learn about the history of OA’s Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, world service, and early group conscience.
Interview with Bob: Overeater and Overexerciser
Bob was already in shape and at a healthy weight but learned in OA that his exercise habits masked a food addiction. He describes how OA gave him a safe place to find recovery and build a productive life.
Interview with Beth: Perfectionism, Isolation, and Compulsive Eating
Beth learned about OA after she noticed a coworker losing weight and becoming noticeably happier. When she realized that she was out of control, she asked if she could join her coworker at a meeting. At the meeting, she was relieved to hear that OA is not a diet program and that the other OA members had problems with food that were similar to her own.
Interview with AJ: Newcomer to OA
AJ joined OA when she became medically obese, which triggered worries about obesity-related illnesses in her family’s history. Today she is no longer obese, and with the help of other OA members, she is living in recovery from compulsive eating.
WSBC 2015 Keynote Speech by Matt
Matt, a young person in OA, talks about his recovery journey and the impact that other OA members had on him as they carried the message to him through their example of taking themselves and the OA program seriously.
Being Human
“It took a long time before I believed I am equal to others, says one OA member. “I think one of the reasons this happeend is because I heard the Twelfth Tradition over and over at meetings.”
Guardian of My Recovery
“My understanding of anonymity has gone through several evolutions,” says one OA member, who now sees how anonymity encourages a focus on recovery.
Memorializing OA Members
Barbara reflects on how to navigate the grieving process for a deceased OA fellow while upholding our Tradition of anonymity. After the funeral, she shares, “I spoke about the odd fact that even in death, our public face would have to remain incomplete.“