What does “One Disease, Many Faces” (many facets) mean to you personally?
It reminds me that my disease can show up in different ways and that I need to be mindful of when my disease is talking to me in some way.
– Denise M
OA has members from around the world. They span different genders, nationalities, cultures and backgrounds. Every person’s food plan looks different. Everyone works their program differently. For some, it means going to a meeting (or two or three) every day. For others, it means going to one meeting a week. For still others, meditation and journaling is at the heart of their program. Many people check in with their sponsor on a daily basis, while others meet once a week.
No matter how you work your program, we are still, at our core, compulsive overeaters, who have a reaction when we’re around our trigger foods or situations that trigger us. Underneath our differences, we are all human beings just trying to do and be better versions of ourselves.– Rachel F
I love the diversity in OA. To me, “One Disease, Many Faces” beautifully captures the truth that no matter how different our behaviors may look—whether it’s anorexia, bulimia, overeating, or something else—we are united by a common struggle. What amazes me is how I can relate so deeply to people from all walks of life: different social and economic backgrounds, nationalities, genders, and experiences. At the core, it’s not about the specific food behavior—it’s about our shared humanity and the compulsive patterns that brought us here. OA gives us a place to connect beyond the surface and heal together.
– Val B
– Anonymous
©2025 Experience Strength & Hope Newsletter,
All rights reserved. Proudly sponsored by OA Foot Steps VIG #09670.
Did you enjoy this article? We would encourage our members to use this post, and others like it, at their meetings, or for private reflection. We also encourage you to share this post to other fellows to help the compulsive eater who still suffers. Please let us know if you have an idea for an article or an upcoming theme, or have any questions or suggestions. Email our editorial staff at [email protected].
The experience, strength, and hope expressed in this article, reflect the individual OA members and does not represent OA as a whole. Other OA groups and service bodies are welcome to reprint articles from Experience, Strength & Hope Newsletter without permission. When reprinting from other OA newsletters, be sure to credit the source.
