The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous

by Overeaters Anonymous

This is the large-print edition of OA's keystone book—The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition. Created specifically as a study of the OA Twelve Step recovery program, the Second Edition has been updated, improved, and revised for clarity and inclusivity. In addition, the Step Four chapter has been restructured to increase usefulness. Read how, through working the Twelve Steps and studying the Twelve Traditions, members have found "physical, emotional, and spiritual healing that we don't hesitate to call miraculous." Indexed.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Health, Psychology, Addiction, Reference, Mental Health

211 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Mandy]

Very informative, reading the traditions is very informative about what OA is, and therefore is the most interesting part.

[Christine Baptiste]

So this book is a two part book first part is 12 steps and then the book ends and it becomes 12 traditions. I read this with a friend who used to attend OA meetings and she convinced me to read it with her since it had been so beneficial in her life. I’m all about supporting friends but I was so glad when she suggested we quit after the first half (maybe she could tell I was not feeling it). The parallels between overeating and alcoholism that they make are just not there IMO. I feel like they took the program for AA or NA and just replaced the drugs with food and called it good. Not the same, I don’t feel a need to go make amends to people I hurt when I was hungry (what!?). We haven’t ALL done something crazy for food (i.e. dug through the trash to hide our food addiction or steal money from other people to buy food). Maybe this is the case for some people but I’m hard pressed to believe that is the norm for people who are overweight... Anyway I convinced her to join WW she’s a convert now and this book moves to the new abandoned shelf.

[Jane]

This was an incredible book for me to read. It's the first non-LDS 12 step recovery book I've ever read, and it was pretty powerful. I especially liked how each step was taken in depth and I have a greater understanding of them and how to use them in my life. It's amazing how these principles apply to so much more than eating.

[Jennifer White]

This works.

This works well, when I work it. OA.org is a valuable source of information. I also go to meetings and I have a sponsor. I am maintaining our 185 pound weight loss.

[Irina]

This is a non fiction book and there are no spoilers only hope . Read it and get as much you can . It changed my life !

[Claire]

idk how to give this a rating. it's obviously the AA 12 steps but with "compulsive overeating" instead of "alcoholism." some of this translates better than other parts: for instance, does anyone really need to make amends for what they did while they were hungry? but then again, I do get pretty hangry. all jokes aside I'm sure it depends on the person. and this has been a super helpful program for tons of people so it was interesting and educational to read.

[Laura]

I highly encourage you to listen to Lawrie C on YouTube explain page by page the big book on his OA convention speech. Make notes in the big book as he explains it. Makes everything come alive and make sense. Read the two books together the rest of your life if you struggle with food addiction.

[Jaelin Hartwell]

Wonderful body of work

The organization of this book is so helpful as well as useful. Thanks for the information and the great details

[Charlie]

A very useful book and great introduction to the 12 principles and 12 traditions. It was interesting understanding how these work for an an addition where abstinence is not an option. What I was surprised by was that the principles could also be called “How to be a decent person”. I will be applying many of the principles in all areas of my life and using the traditions to help guide some decisions for groups or communities I’m part of. Well worth the read.

[Pam Strachan]

Hmm, went to my first meeting last Sunday and think I will be going regularly from now on.

[Dean Zemel]

Working a Good Program

Just about as important as the Big Book! And we read about the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions from a compulsive overeating standpoint!

[Angela Gilbert]

The nuts and bolts of OA. I definitely recommend this and will absolutely be rereading it.

[Cathy]

Required reading for any who find that food rules their thoughts. Suggested reading for those who do not. The twelve steps and traditions are essentially rules on how to live a life filled with generosity and peace. Not all heavy people are necessarily food addicts. Not all skinny people are immune. This book first outlines the 12 steps of AA as they apply to the disease of compulsive over (or under) eating. At first, the Twelve Traditions may seem like a rule book in how to run a meeting, but they are chock full of suggestions for living a fulfilled life. By the way, you never really finish reading this book. I've read it, am still reading and still want to read this book. Is there a shelf for that?

[A.C. Bauch]

Breaking from this book as well. Will be finished sometime in the new year.

ETA: I finished this book and decided not to rate it, because I'm unsure how to do so. This kind of book, to me, is more like an informational pamphlet in book format.

I think this book would be a helpful, quick read for anyone who wants to know and better understand the foundation on which Overeaters Anonymous is built, while also learning about twelve-step programs in general.

[Gloria Hunsaker]

Journey of self discovery

Working the Step has been a journey of self discovery; because I've worked the Steps I was not only able to get abstinent, but stay abstinent.

[Susan]

This book and OA meetings are alienating to people who do not believe in a god or higher power. Throughout the book, it's stated that OA is not a religious organization. However, "God" and a higher power are the main themes throughout. I regret having spent money on this.

[JaMaDa]

Dnf somewhere post-page 76...

I started this book back in 2017 & recently picked it back up. When you start to skim a book, it's time to let it go. Some things I resonated with while most just lost my interest or seemed repetitive.

[lisa dishman]

balanced help for over eaters or compulsions

Very balanced and helpful
Practical compassionate spiritual
Not patronizing
I recommend this book and it’s worth having your own nutritionist or dietitian to help youvtoo

[Truitti]

Ebook, doing the exercises in Word

[Beth]

My life in a nutshell. I can't explain much more than that...recovery is possible. Lead On.

[Marianne Pita-Esquer]

12 Steps Baby!

[Mary]

I'm going back and forth between OA and AA literature. It is such an adventure, and they are so full of gifts.

[Nina]

Not what I was looking for.

[Sarah]

Definition of each step and tradition.

[Agatha Glowacki]

Good summary of 12 steps through the lens of overeaters

[Karen]

very helpful for those of us who are COE

[Chris Gager]

The way to go for us compulsive overeaters.

[Debra]

Invaluable reading and program for people with eating disorders. Highly recommend the program.

[srggv]

A book that I will be reading for the rest of my life. If I'm smart!