To celebrate, here are 29 tools of recovery in addition to our nine OA tools: a plan of eating, sponsorship, meetings, telephone, writing, literature, action plan, anonymity, and service.
This list was originally composed for AA and was titled “90 Tools for Sobriety.” I have highlighted some and modified them for OA.
- 1. Stay away from that first compulsive bite, taking the 1st step daily.
- 2. Progress is made ONE DAY AT A TIME.
- 3. First things first
- 4. Remember HALT, avoid being too hungry, angry, lonely or tired.
- 5. Remember, your disease is incurable, progressive, and potentially fatal.
- 6. Apply the Serenity Prayer
- 7. Be willing to help.
- 8. Eat at regular hours – according to your food plan.
- 9. Use the telephone. (Not just after the fact but during too.)
- 10. Be good to yourself, you deserve it.
- 11. Read the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous – any edition!).
- 12. Change old routines and patterns.
- 13. Remember FEAR: FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL!
- 14. When in doubt, ask questions. The only stupid question is the one not asked.
- 15. Practice rigorous honesty with yourself and others.
- 16. Get a home group, give service and attend it regularly.
- 17. Learn to listen, not just hear. Be open-minded and nonjudgmental.
- 18. Share your experience, strength and hope.
- 19. Easy does it.
- 20. Let the little kid in you out – learn how to laugh from the gut.
- 21. Remember HOW IT WAS. Your last binge, the feelings, etc.
- 22. Be aware of your emotions.
- 23. Help another in his/her recovery, extend your hand, listen.
- 24. Try to turn your life and your will over to your Higher Power.
- 25. Be kind to yourself
- 26. Honesty and consistency are key factors in recovery.
- 27. Learn to take spot check inventories
- 28. Make lots of new OA friends.
- 29. Let go and Let God.
Source: https://www.oacfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-01_newsletter.pdf (p.8) – All pictures used in their newsletter are sourced from Pixabay
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.
