Did you know that OA Foot Steps has its own Anorexia Bulimia Specific Focus Service Board?
The Service Board exists to provide support and resources to OA meetings and OA members for recovery from anorexia, bulimia, and related issues. The Board is currently chaired by Lisa T, whom we interviewed this month, and they meet once a month to discuss new & ongoing business.
Many individuals who suffer from anorexia and bulimia experience deep-rooted emotional
struggles with food and body image. OA recognizes that disordered eating exists on a spectrum
and that compulsive behaviors, whether in the form of bingeing, restricting, purging, overexercising, etc, stem from underlying issues that can be addressed through the 12-step recovery process.
The presence of anorexics and bulimics enriches the OA fellowship. Their stories remind us that
compulsive eating isn’t just about quantity. It’s about obsession, fear, and emotional pain. Their
courage in seeking recovery helps break stigma and fosters a more compassionate, inclusive
environment for all members. Hearing others share stories of all the different ways they restrict,
purge, obsess over the scale and their bodies can be a powerful reminder: you are not alone.
OA offers special-focus meetings for anorexics and bulimics, where members can connect with
others who’s manifestation of the disease they more closely identify with.
Ultimately, OA thrives on inclusivity, and the voices of anorexics and bulimics are essential in
creating a diverse, understanding, and unified recovery community. Their presence underscores
the truth that healing from food-related struggles is not just about eating habits, it’s about
learning to live fully and freely.
As one OA member shared:
“Come to an AB-focused meeting. You’ll see how expansive compulsive eating really is.
And you’ll probably find someone a lot like you.”
OA’s message to anorexics, bulimics, and all compulsive eaters – You are welcome – You are not
alone – You are home!
For more information please contact [email protected] or visit their website.
If you want to share your story as an anorexic and/or bulimic in recovery, join their Speakers’ WhatsApp Group.
©2026 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.
