The 9 Tools of Overeaters Anonymous

Tools: We have nine Tools that help focus us while we work our program of recovery, including:

    • A Plan of Eating
    • Sponsorship
    • Meetings
    • Communication (telephone, writing, and reading our literature)
    • Action Plan
    • Anonymity
    • Service

Plan of Eating: This gives us a daily guide to avoid trigger foods and any destructive eating behaviors.

Sponsorship: Sponsors have been working the program to the best of their ability and walk you through the Twelve Steps. They help you understand each step and how to work the program in the best way for you. Sponsors go beyond being a supportive friend; they are truly a gift to the program.

Meetings: We offer over 6,000 face-to-face and virtual meetings worldwide, and in languages other than English. Find a meeting that will work for you and your schedule. Meetings help us learn about the Tools and Steps, and also provide fellowship, which is critical to our recovery. We have discovered we need each other to get well.

Telephone: We reach out to one another between meetings, for support for ourselves and to offer help to others.

Writing: Some call it journaling. When we put our difficulties down on paper, it becomes easier to see situations more clearly and determine any necessary action.

Literature: OA has excellent books, and pamphlets–that help us understand how to “work the Twelve Steps” and give us examples of what life in recovery looks like.

Action Plan: This Tool helps incorporate the use of all the other OA Tools to bring structure, balance, and manageability into our lives and helps us work our program consistently.

Anonymity: Anonymity gives OA members freedom of expression and safeguards us from gossip. A deeper understanding of this Tool is that it assures that we each are one among many. OA has no stars.

Service: You will hear a lot about service in OA. This Tool is addressed in greater detail deeper in our website. But, for now, please know that any form of service – no matter how small – helps reach a fellow sufferer while adding to the quality of our recovery.