Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Stuart G

(38,359 posts)
3. I agree completely...12 Step Programs Work.
Thu Dec 15, 2016, 09:31 AM
Dec 2016

Last edited Thu Dec 15, 2016, 12:03 PM - Edit history (2)

If you are reading these words, then that is the result of a 12 step program that worked. Yes, there are such programs for people with food addictions. And..these programs work, but a person needs to "work the program" We go to meetings, read literature, talk to others, meditate, and perhaps the most important of all actions......listen to others as they deal with their addiction.

.
Overeaters Anonymous is such a program..
There are no dues or fees, membership is open to anyone with a desire to deal with their food problem.

I have kept the weight off by listening and acting upon what I have learned..But I repeat, what I said in the first post, it ain't easy..We do the best that we can do, each day and every day. One Day At A Time.. I recommend it as a way to deal with this awful addiction.

I must add this idea and it is quite significant. Eating disorders have been recognized as a very serious health problem only in the last 20 years or so. (depending on who studies them) While drug and alcoholism have been studied and looked at since the late 30s and earlier, our focus has not been on the eating problems that people have, such as gaining and loosing large amounts of weight, over and over, or bulimia or anorexia or the combo of all of them. It was just an eating problem, and surly an individual could control what they eat..(couldn't they?)..

But now, we see this set of addictions, as the most dangerous health problem in the U.S.A We eat too much, too little, or the wrong kinds of food. Many of us can't stop the behavior. For decades people have known that drug addicts are..well, drug addicts or just plain drunks if it is the booze..But this eating thing...well..it is just eating and gaining and loosing weight. (along with perception of how we look)..oh, that is not a major health problem people think....

But it is, and people are dying every day because of complications of too much, too little, or the totally wrong food. And, society does not call the cause of death eating or food problems. Instead, we call it complications from heart disease or diabetes or a host of other terms. .. So us eating disorder people, have an additional problem. That is, that society has only recently recognized that this is an incredible problem that affects one in three of us, and not just adults, but children too. Next summer at the beach look around and you will see the truth. Just as important,are those who are underweight or close to normal weight and are obsessed about those 5 pounds or or they stop eating altogether or vomit or whatever. Eating disorders are totally different than other addictions. Yet, addictions, are....addictions... (more on this topic later............)

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Eating Disorders Support»Why "Eating Disorders" ar...»Reply #3