Rozanne S.
Bernice S.Jo S.
Overeaters Anonymous/Founders
OA was founded by Rozanne S. and two other women in January 1960. The organization’s headquarters, or World Service Office, is located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Overeaters Anonymous estimates its membership at over 60,000 people in about 6,500 groups meeting in over 75 countries.

Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is an organization that helps people who are recovering from compulsive eating and other eating disorders. Recovery from an eating disorder can be difficult without the right support and resources, and OA aims to help.

From Slip or Relapse to Recovery. Page 1. This is an action plan for reclaiming and retaining our abstinence. If we are struggling or have had a slip or relapse, we may need to take different actions than before to renew our commitment to abstinence and recovery.

Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet in order to help solve a common problem – compulsive overeating, which includes obesity, anorexia and bulimia. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively.

January 1960
Overeaters Anonymous/Founded
In January 1960, in a modest home in Los Angeles, California, Overeaters Anonymous was born. Founder Rozanne S. *, who had for years struggled with her weight and numerous attempts at dieting, attended a Gamblers Anonymous meeting in support of a friend.

Many ask, “What is an Anorexic or Bulimic going to get out of an Overeaters Anonymous meeting?” More than you think… Though some may not admit it. Many anorexics and bulimics also struggle with compulsive overeating at some point. Overeaters Anonymous offers several types of meetings.

Food Addicts Anonymous (FAA) is a community of people who come together for support and encouragement as they work to recover from food addiction. Members commit to sharing their experiences, supporting others, and providing hope for fellow members.

So, what is the definition of relapse? The relapse definition is when you begin abusing or become addicted to drugs and alcohol after a period of recovery and sobriety. Relapse can occur at any point during recovery.

12-step programs One way to address food addiction is to find a good 12-step program. These are almost identical to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) — except the substance of addiction is different. In a 12-step program, people attend meetings with others who also struggle with food addiction.

Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors and to carry the message of recovery through the Twelve Steps of OA to those who still suffer. Do I belong in OA? Our symptoms may vary, but we share a common bond: we are powerless over food, and our lives have become unmanageable.

Does the program really work? Typically, OA members have tried numerous solutions to their problems with food, including (for many of us) years of diets or exercise. In OA, we have finally found a long-term answer. Many OA members have maintained a normal weight and found freedom from compulsive eating for many years.

Overeaters Anonymous/Founded

Overeaters Anonymous ( OA) is a twelve-step program founded in 1960 for people with problems related to food including, but not limited to, compulsive overeaters, those with binge eating disorder, bulimics and anorexics.

OA was founded by Rozanne S. and two other women in January 1960. The organization’s headquarters, or World Service Office, is located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Overeaters Anonymous estimates its membership at over 60,000 people in about 6,500 groups meeting in over 75 countries.

A sponsor provides guidance through the OA program and support where necessary, but gradually encourages autonomy in the sponsee. A sponsor strives to make his or her job obsolete. In Overeaters Anonymous, abstinence is “the action of refraining from compulsive eating while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight.”

“Abstinence in Overeaters Anonymous is the action of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight.” This concept of abstinence has been criticized for its lack of specificity.