TwelveStepWorkshopandStudyGuide1
OvereatersAnonymous2
TableofContents3
Reader’sGuide-------------------------------------------------------------------------------4Introduction---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
InformationforLeaders---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6SampleFlyer------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7
IntroductorySession----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8ReadinessAssessmentQuestions---------------------------------------------------------------- 9IntroductorySessionHomeworkand10ReadingforNextSession(StepOne)------------------------------------------------------------ 11ParticipantResponsibilities----------------------------------------------------------------------- 12StrongAbstinenceChecklistandWritingExercise------------------------------------------- 13Closing-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14SuggestedOpeningsandClosingsforAllSessions-------------------------------------------- 15
StepOneSession----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16ParticipantContactInformation------------------------------------------------------------------ 17StepOneSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepTwo)----------------- 18
StepTwoSession---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19StepTwoSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepThree)--------------- 20
StepThreeSession-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21StepThreeSessionHomeworkforandReadingforNextSession22(StepFour:SessionOneofThree)---------------------------------------------------------------- 23
StepFour:SessionOneofThree-------------------------------------------------------------------------24GeneralInventoryGuidelines--------------------------------------------------------------------- 25ResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines------------------------------------------------------------- 26ResentmentsWorksheetExamples-------------------------------------------------------------- 27ResentmentsWorksheet --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28StepFourGlossary---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29StrengthsWorksheetGuidelines----------------------------------------------------------------- 30StrengthsWorksheetExamples------------------------------------------------------------------ 31StrengthsWorksheets------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32StepFour:SessionOneofThreeHomework--------------------------------------------------- 33
StepFour:SessionTwoofThree -------------------------------------------------------------------------34FearsWorksheetGuidelines---------------------------------------------------------------------- 35FearsWorksheetExamples----------------------------------------------------------------------- 36FearsWorksheet------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37SexConductWorksheetGuidelines-------------------------------------------------------------- 38SexConductWorksheetExamples--------------------------------------------------------------- 39
SexConductWorksheet---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40Harms(GuiltandRemorse)WorksheetGuidelines------------------------------------------ 41Harms(GuiltandRemorse)WorksheetExamples------------------------------------------- 42Harms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet--------------------------------------------------------- 43StepFour:SessionTwoofThreeHomework--------------------------------------------------- 44
StepFour:SessionThreeofThree-----------------------------------------------------------------------45OtherProblemAreasWorksheetGuidelines-------------------------------------------------- 46OtherProblemAreasWorksheetExamples---------------------------------------------------- 47OtherProblemAreasWorksheets---------------------------------------------------------------- 48OldBeliefsWorksheetGuidelines---------------------------------------------------------------- 49OldBeliefsWorksheetExamples----------------------------------------------------------------- 50OldBeliefsWorksheets----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 51StepFour:SessionThreeofThreeHomeworkand52ReadingforNextSession(StepFive)------------------------------------------------------------ 53
StepFiveSession----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------54StepFiveSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepSix)------------------- 55
StepSixSession------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------56StepSixSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepSeven)----------------- 57
StepSevenSession--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------58StepSevenSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepEight)-------------- 59
StepEightSession---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------60StepEightSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepNine)--------------- 61
StepNineSession----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------62StepNineSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepTen)----------------- 63
StepTenSession-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------64StepTenSpot-checkWorksheetExamples----------------------------------------------------- 65StepTenSpot-checkWorksheet------------------------------------------------------------------ 66SummaryofInventoryWorksheetHeadingsResentmentsandFears-------------------- 67SummaryofInventoryWorksheetHeadingsSexConductandHarms-------------------- 68StepTenDailyReview------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 69Self-Will/HP’sorGod’sWill---------------------------------------------------------------------- 70StepTenSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepEleven)-------------- 71
StepElevenSession-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------72StepElevenSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession(StepTwelve)---------- 73
StepTwelveSession------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------74StepTwelveSessionAssignments---------------------------------------------------------------- 75StepTwelveSessionActions:NextSteps-------------------------------------------------------- 76
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79
Reader’sGuide80
Thisbookwasdevelopedasaworkshopleader’sguidebuthasotheruses,81sponsor/sponsee–discussionforexample.Tomakeituser-friendlyforthewidestrangeof82readers,textthatisrepeatedfromsessiontosessionissetingray-shadedboxes.83
HomeworkfortheIntroductoryandStepOneSessionsishandedoutatthefirstsession.84Thereafter,homeworkforeachStepishandedoutattheprevioussessioninordertobe85completedbeforethatStepisdiscussedface-to-face.Thishomeworkisprimarilyreading86andjournaling.Furtherworkisdoneduringthesession.87
Introduction88
InOvereatersAnonymous,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis:89
Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefood90behaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,91emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymous92Twelve-Stepprogram.193
RecoveringmembersofOAareabstinent.Theymayfollowmanydifferentplansofeating,94havewidelydivergentideasaboutaHigherPower,andrepresentaspectrumoflifeand95compulsiveeatinghistories.96
WhatwehaveincommonisdeepgratitudetotheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous97forsavingourlivesandtoAlcoholicsAnonymousastheoriginatoroftheseSteps.Wework98theseStepsdaily,alongwiththeotheraspectsoftheOAprogram.Withbodiesator99approachingahealthyweightandsometimesexperiencingsignificantimprovementsinour100health,wearenolongertorturedbyobsessionwithfood.Wedescribeourlivesnowas101filledwithjoy,purpose,clarity,peaceofmind,positiverelationships,andstrengthtoface102life’schallenges,withoutusingfoodasadrug.103
WetellnewcomersorstrugglingOAmemberswhoaskhowwedidit:“Putdownthefork104andworktheSteps.”105
Howdostrugglingmembersfindabstinencewhentheyhavetriedeverythingtheyknow106timeandagainwithoutsuccess?Howdoabstainingsponsorshelpmorepeoplewhenthey107alreadyhavemultiplesponseesandnomorehoursintheday?108
Asapathtorecovery,thisguideprovidesfifteenscriptedsessionstotakeparticipants109throughanaccelerated,intensiveTwelveStepworkshop.CompletingtheTwelveSteps110doesnothavetotakeayearormore.ThebookAlcoholicsAnonymous,theBigBook,111describesearlymemberstakingmanyoftheSteps—howeverimperfectly—inthefirstfew112daysoftheirrecovery,althoughthisguidesuggestsaslightlylongerprocess.This113workshopblendssomeoftheoriginalmethodsdescribedintheBigBookwithideas114
1AdoptedattheWorldServiceBusinessConferencein1988;amendedin2002,2009,and2011.
describedinourOAliterature.Whicheverpathwetake,welearntotrustaHigherPower,115clearawaythewreckageofthepast,andhelpothersinordertoenjoylifelongabstinence,116onedayatatime.117
OnlythefirsthalfofStepOnehasanythingtodowithfoodandcompulsiveeating.Therest118oftheStepsalldealwithliving.Somemembershavethemistakenbeliefthatiftheycan119followaplanofeatingforashorttimeandgettheirweight“undercontrol”lifewillbe120great.Wehaveabettersolution:WorktheSteps.TheBigBookpromisesthatifwe121surrendercontroltoaPowergreaterthanourselves,“Wewillintuitivelyknowhowto122handlesituationswhichusedtobaffleus”(AlcoholicsAnonymous,4thed.,p.84).However,123thatpromiseappearsafterStepNine.AbstainingOAmembers,whohaveincorporatedthe124TwelveStepsintotheirwayofliving,worktheStepsdaily.TheStepshelpusstayabstinent125byidentifyingthecausesofourcompulsionandbylearninghealthybehaviors.Howcanwe126learntousetheseStepsinordertobeabstinentandtohavealifethatishappy,joyous,and127free?128
TheTwelveStepWorkshopandStudyGuideprovidesdetaileddirectionsonhowtoorganize129andrunafifteensessionworkshopleadingOAmembersthroughallTwelveSteps.130Althoughthestructureofthisguidedescribesholdingweeklytwo-hoursessions,the131workshopcouldbeconfiguredinanotherway—aslongaseachsession’sentirecontents132stayintact,theworkshopmovesalongatarapidpace,andparticipantshaveadequatetime133todotheirhomeworkbetweensessions.Regardlessoftheduration,thisworkshopis134designedtobeclosedtonewparticipantsaftertheIntroductorySession;eachsession135buildsonthepreviousones,andconsistentmembershipfostersthetrustingand136supportiveatmosphereconducivetoin-depthStepwork.Becauseitisclosed,this137workshopcannotberegisteredwithOAWorldServiceasanOAmeeting.138
UsingtheOA-approvedliteraturereferredtointhisguide,2participantscanworkthe139Steps,notjuststudyorreadaboutthem.Theycanread,reflect,write,discuss,andtake140actionasdescribedintheSteps.Theseactionsincludewritingandgivingawayan141inventory,askingtheirHigherPowertoremoveshortcomings,makingamends,takinga142dailyinventory,prayingandmeditating,reachingouttoothers,andpracticingthe143PrinciplesembodiedintheseStepsinallaspectsoftheirdailylives.Therearehomework144assignmentsbetweeneachsession.Participantsareexpectedtoattendallsessions,145completeassignments,andcontactotherparticipantsbetweensessions.Inaddition,146participantsareexpectedtosimultaneouslycontinuetheirregularOApractices:attend147meetings,makeoutreachcalls,workwithanabstinentsponsor,followaplanofeating,and148soon.Iftherearenoavailableabstinentsponsorswhocansupportparticipantsinthis149workshop,participantsareencouragedtoworktogetheraspartnersinrecovery.150
Participantswhobenefitmostarethosewhoarewillingtogotoanylengthtorecover.151TheyprobablyhavesomefamiliaritywiththeOAprogram,haveadmittedtheyare152
2TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous;AlcoholicsAnonymous,FourthEdition(theBigBook);AATwelveStepsandTwelveTraditions;OvereatersAnonymous,ThirdEdition;andtheOAdailyreaders,VoicesofRecoveryandForToday
compulsiveeatersorhavecompulsivefoodbehaviors,havegivenupsearchingforother153solutionstotheirproblem,andarewillingtobeabstinentonedayatatime.Theymustalso154bewillingtodevotethetimeandattentionthisrecoveryprocessrequires.Theyshould155understandthatthisrigorousworkshoprepresentsjustonewaytostayabstinentand156worktheSteps;thereareasmanyapproachestoStepworkasthereareindividualsinOA.157
Ideally,anabstainingOAmemberwhohasworkedallTwelveStepswillleadthegroup.158Responsibilitiescouldalsobesharedwithaco-leader.Participantsareencouragedtogive159servicebyleadingthisworkshopthemselvesafterthey’vecompletedit.However,this160workshopisdesignedtoproduceresultseveniftherearecurrentlynolocallyqualified161sponsorstoleadit.162
Thegoalofthisguideandworkshopistohelpasmanypeopleaspossibleachieveand163maintainabstinence.BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutof164despairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingall165TwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.166
InformationforLeaders167
Theleader(andco-leaderifresponsibilitiesareshared)will:168
InitiatetheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.169
• Determineifthereisenoughinteresttostarttheworkshop.Werecommend170fourtotwelveparticipants.Speakwithotherstogetanideaofhowmanyare171interested.172
• Specifythattheworkshopisfifteen,two-hoursessions.Potentialgroup173membersshouldbewillingtocommittoattendingallsessions.174
• Specifythatthisisaclosedworkshop.Therecanbenonewmembersafterthe175first(Introductory)session.Assuch,itcannotberegisteredasanOAgroupwithOA176WorldService.177
• Selectameetingtime,place,andfrequency.Meetingweeklyallowstimefor178completinghomeworkassignmentsbetweensessions.Dowhatworksforthegroup,179butkeepinmindthatitisveryimportanttocompleteanentiresessionasasingle,180intactunitduringthetwohoursallottedforthatsession.181
• Produceanddistributeflyersabouttheworkshop.Asampleflyerisincludedon182pagetbd.183
Facilitatetheworkshop.184
• Openandclosethemeetingspace.185
• Startandendtheworkshopontime.186
• Guideparticipantsthrougheachsession.187
• Decidehowresponsibilitieswillbesharedifthereareco-leadersforthe188workshop.189
• CollecttheSeventhTraditionduringeachsessiontopayrentandothercostsas190needed.191
• Gatherthematerials.Preparewhatisneededbeforethebeginningofevery192sessioninordertoavoidfeelingrushedorforgettingsomething.Readthroughthe193nextsession’sscript.Makesuretohaveenoughhandoutsforallparticipants.194Sometimestheygettwoofeach.195
• ExplainthehomeworkuntilStepFouriscompleted.Attheappropriatetime,196handoutthehomeworksheets,readthemaloudtotheparticipants,andaskfor197questions.198
• ProvidecontactinformationduringtheIntroductorySession.Itwillbeonthe199ParticipantContactInformationlistfollowingtheStepOneSession.200
• Rememberthatthisworkshopispresentedinfifteen,two-hoursessions.Each201sessioniswrittenasascriptfortheleadertoread.Thescriptincludestheamountof202timeallowedtocompleteeachsectionaswellashandoutsandhomeworkrelatedto203thatsession.204
• Sticktothetimeindicatedineachsectionofthescript.Itisimportanttoget205throughallofeachsession’smaterialduringthatsession.Eachsessionbuildsonand206reinforcestheprevioussession.Newmaterialpresentedpreparesparticipantsfor207thehomeworkfollowingthesession.Theworkshopconductedasoutlinedhelps208participantslearnstructure,order,anddiscipline.209
• Observethetimeguidelinesinthescript.Ifworkshopparticipantsignorethe210timer,letthemfinishtheirsentence.Thenpolitelystopthem.Ifthisisn’tdone211consistently,thetimerwillbeignored.Saysomethinglike,“I’msorry,Susan.Timeis212up.Thankyouforsharing.Whowouldliketosharenext?”213
Bringnecessarysupplies.214
• Timer.Werecommendusingatimerthatkeepstrackofsecondsincasetheleader215wantstogivethespeakeraten-orthirty-secondwarningthathisorhertimeis216almostup.217
• Containersuchasabasket,jar,orenvelopeforcollectingtheSeventhTradition218
• Envelopesaddressedtothefacilitywheretherentistobepaid219
• Leader’scopyofallrequiredtexts:TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsof220OvereatersAnonymous,AlcoholicsAnonymous,FourthEdition(theBigBook3),AA221TwelveandTwelve,OvereatersAnonymousThirdEdition,VoicesofRecovery,andFor222Today.223
• Extrapensandpaper224
225
3Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
226
Overeaters Anonymous 227
Workshop on the Twelve Steps 228
A15-sessionworkshopdesignedtohelpparticipants229
achieveandmaintainabstinencethroughworkingallTwelveSteps 230 231
June 12 – September 18, 2016 232
Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 233
June 12 is the Introductory Session 234 235
The following OA-approved literature will be used in the workshop 236sessions and homework assignments: 237
• The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous 238
• Alcoholics Anonymous, Fourth Edition (the Big Book) 239
• Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions by Alcoholics Anonymous 240
• Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition 241
• Voices of Recovery 242
• For Today 243
Participants need their own copies. 244
Workshop Location: 245
Holiday Inn, 1122 Willow Lane, Hometown, XA 12345 246
Questions? Contact Donna R: (999) 555-1212 247
This is a closed workshop for 4 to 12 participants. No new members may join after the 248Introductory Session. Participants commit to attend and fully participate in all sessions. 249
IntroductorySession4250
ExplaintheFundamentalsoftheWorkshop(15minutes)251
4Thisbookwasdevelopedasaworkshopleader’sguidebuthasotheruses,sponsor/sponsee–discussionforexample.Tomakeituser-friendlyforthewidestrangeofreaders,textthatisrepeatedfromsessiontosessionissetingray-shadedboxes.
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
252
253254LEADER255
“TherearemanywaystoworktheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.Torecover256fromthefataldiseaseofcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviors,it’svitalthatwe257workallTwelveSteps.Inthisworkshopwewilllearnonewaytodothis.Ifwe’rewillingto258followdirectionsandfullyparticipate,thisworkshopcanhelpusbecomeandremain259abstinentandbewellonourwaytorecoveryinfifteensessions.260
“Eachsessionofthisworkshopisdesignedtolasttwohours.Becauseit’simportanttoget261throughallthematerialineachsession,we’lluseatimertohelpusstayontrack.Webegin262eachsessionwithacheck-in,ashortmeditation,asummaryoftheprevioussession’sStep,263andaquestionaboutwhetherwe’vetakenthatStep.Ifyouhaven’t,discussthiswitha264sponsortodetermineanyactionyouneedtotake.Keepmovingforward.Becauseoftime265constraintswewillnotdiscusstheprevioussession’shomework.It’suptoustodoour266homeworkbetweensessions.However,thisisnota“do-it-yourself”workshop.To267discourageisolationandencouragefellowship,sharethehomeworkwithafellow268participantandasponsor.269
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
“Ingeneral,mostsessionsfollowthesameformat:Aftercheckingin,wefocusontheStep270we’reworkingonduringthesession.Wetaketurnsreadingpassagesfromourliterature271anddiscussingthosepassages.AftertheSeventhTradition,wetakeabreak.Followingthe272break,areading,writing,andsharingexercisebasedonselectedentriesfromourOAdaily273readersrevealsmoretousabouttheStep.Somesessionsincludelongerin-classexercises.274
“Attheendofthesession,wepassouthomeworkthatwillhelpusreflect,write,andtake275actionrelatedtotheworkwedidduringthatsession.Thehomeworkincludesreading276assignmentstoprepareusforthenextsession.WethenclosewithaprayerandtheOA277Promise,whichencouragesustokeepworkingtogethernomatterwhat.278
“Tobepreparedtofullyparticipate,bringbooks,spiralnotebooks,writingimplements,and279handoutstoeachsession.280
“Pleasenotethatafterthissession,theworkshopisclosedtonewparticipants.Each281sessionbuildsontheprevioussession,andconsistentmembershiphelpsusbuildtrustand282supporteachotherasweundertakein-depthStepwork.Becausethisworkshopisclosed,it283cannotberegisteredwithOAWorldServiceasanOAmeeting.284
“Herearehandoutswithalistofparticipantresponsibilities,theStrongAbstinence285ChecklistandWritingExercise,andthehomeworkassignmentsfortoday’sIntroductory286SessionandfortheStepOneSessionwhenwemeetnexttime.Theseassignmentsare287typicaloffuturehomeworkassignments.Pleasetakefiveminutestoreadthem,andthen288we’lltakeafewminutesforquestions.”289
[LeaderhandsoutParticipantResponsibilities,the290StrongAbstinenceChecklistandWritingExercise,291andthehomeworkfortheIntroductoryandStep292OneSessions.Leadersetsthetimer.]293
LEADER294
“Wewillneedtherequiredbooksforthisweek’shomework.Arethereanyquestions?Ifso,295let’stakefiveminutestodiscussthem.”296
[Leadersetsthetimer.]297
! ReadingandGroupDiscussion—GoingtoAnyLength?(25minutes)298
LEADER299
“Wewillnowconsiderwhywemightwanttoparticipateinthisworkshopbyreadingfrom300ourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.301
“PleaseopentheBigBook5tochapter5,‘HowItWorks,’(p.58).302
5Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.PleaserememberthatwhenwereadAlcoholicsAnonymousliteraturealoudinagroup,wereaditexactlyaswritten.Whenreadingitsilently,manyofusfindthatwecanidentifymoreeasilybysubstitutingwordssuchas‘compulsiveeating’for‘alcoholism,’and‘food’or‘bingefood’for‘alcohol.’
Wewilltaketurnsreadingafewparagraphsfromthebeginningofthechapterthrough‘We303askedHisprotectionandcarewithcompleteabandon’onpage59.MayIhaveavolunteer304tobeginreading?”305
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]306
LEADER307
“Letmerereadthestatementonpage58:‘Ifyouhavedecidedyouwantwhatwehaveand308arewillingtogotoanylengthtogetit—thenyouarereadytotakecertainsteps.’309
“WhatdoIthinkrecoveringOAmembershavethatIwant?WhatqualitiesorattitudesdoI310needtobesuccessfulintheOAprogram?311
“Wehavetwentyminutestoshareonthesequestionsoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefso312asmanyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”313
[Leadersetsthetimer.]314
LEADER315
“Toconcludethissection,I’llreadapassageonpagexfromthe‘IntroductiontotheTwelve316Steps’fromtheOATwelveandTwelve.”317
LEADERREADS318
“Ifyouthinkyoumaybeacompulsiveovereater,giveyourselfachancefor319recoverybytryingtheOAprogram.Ourwayoflife,basedonthesetwelve320stepsandtwelvetraditions,hasbroughtusphysical,emotional,andspiritual321healingthatwedon’thesitatetocallmiraculous.Whatworksforuswillwork322foryou,too.”323
324
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
! WelcomeReadingandWritingfromForTodayandVoicesofRecovery(25325minutes)326
LEADER327
“Welcomebackfromourbreak.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdailyreaders328relatedtostartingourjourneytorecovery.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe’lltaketwenty329minutestowriteonthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.330
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadFebruary4fromForTodayonpage35?”331
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]332
LEADER333
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadDecember11fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage346?”334
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]335
LEADER336
“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatthepassagesmeantoyou.”337
[Leadersetsthetimer.]338
LEADER339
“Pleasetakefiveminuteseachtoshareyourwritingwithanotherperson.”340
[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]341
342! Handout:ReadinessAssessmentQuestions(15minutes)343
LEADER344
“Herearequestionstohelpusdecidewhetherwearereadytoparticipateinthisworkshop345andrecoverfromcompulsiveeating.PleasefollowalongasIread.”346
[LeaderpassesoutandreadstheReadiness347AssessmentQuestionshandout.]348
349
ReadinessAssessmentQuestions350
[FordiscussionduringIntroductorySession.]351
AmIreadyforthisOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop?Todecide,answerthe352followingquestions.Considerdiscussingtheanswerswithasponsororpartnerin353recovery.354
• AmIahopelesscompulsiveeater?355
• AmIfinishedsearchingforothermethodstotrytocontrolmyeating?356
• AmIteachable?357
• AmIwillingtogotoanylengthforrecovery?358
• AmIwillingtofindandworkwithanabstinentOAsponsororpartnerin359recovery?360
• DoIhaveaplanofeating?Doesitwork?Ifnot,amIwillingtoaccepthelpin361developingone?362
• AmIwillingtolistandforgomytriggerfoods,bingefoods,andcompulsiveeating363behaviorsandsharethatlistwithmyOAsponsororpartnerinrecovery?364
• AmIwillingtousetheOAToolsofrecovery,especiallyastheyapplytothis365workshop?366
• AmIwillingtosetasideeverythingIthinkIknowaboutmyself,mydisease,the367Steps,andespeciallymyHigherPower?368
• AmIwillingtodevelopanddeepenmyrelationshipwithaHigherPower?369
• DoIhavethewillingnessandcapacitytobeopen-mindedandhonestwithmyself,370mysponsor,andmyfellowworkshopparticipants?371
• AmIwillingtoattendandparticipateineachworkshopsessionanddotherelated372homework?373
• AmIwillingtocompletetheentireworkshop,puttingPrinciplesbefore374personalities,tosupportmyselfandmyfellowparticipantsasIworkthroughthe375TwelveSteps?376
377
378LEADER379
“Pleasetakefiveminutestohonestlyanswerthesequestions,prayingandmeditatingfor380thesinceredesireforrecoveryandthewillingnesstofullyparticipateinthisworkshop.”381
[Leadersetsthetimer.]382
LEADER383
“Nowlet’stakethreeminuteseachtoshareouranswerswiththepersonsittingnexttous.384WeaskourHigherPower’sguidanceinhelpingusdecideifwe’reready.Beforeournext385session,callmewithadecision.”386
[Leadersetsthetimer.]387
! Guarantee(1minute)388
LEADER389
“Canweguaranteeyourecoveryfromcompulsiveeating,alifebeyondyourwildest390dreams?PleasefollowasIreadfrompage99oftheOATwelveandTwelve.”391
LEADERREADS392
“Wewhohaveworkedthe…stepsoftheOvereatersAnonymousprogram393havehadaspiritualawakening,andwenowhaveamessageofhopetocarry394toothercompulsiveovereaters.Wewhooncesufferedfromcomplete395powerlessnesstocontroloureatingandourliveshavenowdiscoveredthe396savingstrengthofaPowergreaterthanourselves.Wehaveexperiencedthe397miracleofphysical,emotional,andspiritualhealing,justaswewere398promisedwhenwebeganthesesteps.”3996 400
6TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Abstinence6Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
401[HomeworkforthissessionincludesIntroductory402andStepOneHomework,Participant403Responsibilities,andtheStrongAbstinence404ChecklistandWritingExercise.]405
406
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)
LEADER
“Herearethehomeworkassignmentsforthenextsession.”
[Leaderhandsouthomeworkworksheets.]
LEADER
“Let’sbrieflyreviewthehomeworkassignments.Werecommenddailywork,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharethehomeworkwithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.Thereadinghomeworkwillprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Wewillnotdiscusswritingoractionassignmentsduringoursessions.”
IntroductorySessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession407
! ReadingforreviewofIntroductorySession408
• ReadFebruary23fromForTodayonpage54.409
• RereadtheReadinessAssessmentQuestionshandout.410
• ReviewParticipantResponsibilities411
• ReviewtheStrongAbstinenceChecklistandWritingExercisehandout.412
! Writing413
• Whatisthecurrentstateofmyrecoveryorrelapse?WhatamIdoingandwhatamI414feeling?415
• HowdoIusefoodtoescapelife’sproblems?416
• WhydoIwanttobeinthisworkshop?Listseveralreasons.417
! Action418
• DoIhaveasponsor?Ismysponsorabstinent7?DoesmysponsorworkalltheSteps?419Ifnot,wearestronglyencouragedtofindanabstinentsponsorwhocontinuesto420worktheSteps.(Ifwecannotfindanabstinentsponsorwhoactivelyworksthe421Steps,chooseapartnerinrecoveryfromthisworkshoptoworkwith.)422
• DiscusstheactionsIambeingaskedtotaketoparticipateinthisworkshopwithmy423abstinentsponsor.Willmysponsorhelpmefollowthisworkshop’sdirectionsto424workalltheSteps?425
• Contacttheworkshopleaderregardingmycommitmenttoparticipateinthis426workshop.427
7TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
• Gathermaterials:spiralnotebooks,books,writingimplements,andafoldertokeep428handouts.429
! ReadingAssignmentsforthenextsessiononStepOne8430
• OATwelveandTwelve431
o IntroductiontotheTwelveSteps(pp.ix-x)432
o StepOne(pp.1-7)433
• AATwelveandTwelve,StepOne(pp.21-24)434
• OvereatersAnonymous,ThirdEdition,bothForewords(pp.ix-xiv)andAppendicesA435throughD(pp.191-208)436
• BigBook9,“TheDoctor’sOpinion”(pp.xxv-xxxii)437
438439
8OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
9Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
PleaserememberthatwhenwereadAlcoholicsAnonymousliteraturealoudinagroup,wereaditexactlyaswritten.Whenreadingitsilently,manyofusfindthatwecanidentifymoreeasilybysubstitutingwordssuchas‘compulsiveeating’for‘alcoholism,’and‘food’or‘bingefood’for‘alcohol.’
ParticipantResponsibilities440
! Attendandparticipateinallsessions,astheybuildoneachother.Contactthe441leaderaheadoftimeifweareunabletoattend.Read,reflect,write,discuss,andtake442actioninclassandthroughourhomeworkassignments.443
! Arriveearlyenoughtobereadytostartontime.444
! Bringmaterialstoeachsession:spiralnotebooks,requiredbooks,writing445implements,andafoldertokeephandouts.446
! WorkwithanabstinentsponsorwhocontinuestoworktheTwelveStepsandwill447helpuswiththisworkshop.Ifnoabstinentsponsorsareavailablelocally,expand448thesearchbyparticipatinginadditionalworkshopsandintergroup,telephone,or449onlinemeetings.Seeoa.orgfordirectoriesofthesemeetings.Untilwefindasponsor450whocanhelpusfollowthedirectionspresentedinthisworkshopforworkingthe451Steps,workwithapartnerinrecoveryfromthisworkshop.452
! Practiceanonymity.“Whoyouseehere,whatyouhearhere,whenyouleavehere,453letitstayhere.”Weareencouragedtodiscussthecontentoftheworkshopfromour454perspective—withoutnamingnames—withfellowparticipantsandoursponsor.455
! ContinueourregularOApractices,suchasattendingmeetingsandmakingphone456calls.457
! RequiredReadingMaterial10:458
• TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous459
• AlcoholicsAnonymous,FourthEdition(theBigBook11)460
• TwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsbyAlcoholicsAnonymous461
• OvereatersAnonymous,ThirdEdition462
• VoicesofRecovery463
• ForToday464
10OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
11Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
WealsosuggestusingthelatesteditionofthefollowingOAliterature12toguideand465supportusinachievingandmaintainingabstinence:466
• ToolsofRecovery,OApamphlet#160467
• ACommitmenttoAbstinence,OApamphlet#141468
• APlanofEating:AToolforLiving,OApamphlet#145469
• DignityofChoice,OApamphlet#140470
• AGuideforSponsors,OApamphlet#200471
• SponsoringThroughtheTwelveSteps,OApamphlet#220472
473474
12OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
475476
StrongAbstinenceChecklistandWritingExercise477 478Usethisvaluabletooleverydaytosupportyouinkeepingyourabstinencestrong479andintact.Youmayalsouseitasthefocusformeetingsandworkshops.480481CHECKLIST4821)HaveIbeenabstinenttoday?4832)DidIprayandmeditatetoday?4843)AmImaintainingorworkingtowardsahealthybodyweight?4854)DidIrelyonmyHigherPowertogetorstayabstinenttoday?4865)IswhatIamcurrentlydoingworkingformetoremainabstinent?4876)IfIamhavingproblemshaveIaskedsomeoneelsewhattheyaredoing?4887)HaveImadeanOAcalltoday?4898)DidIhaveanattitudeofgratitudetoday?4909)DidIplanmyfoodtoday?49110)HaveIhelpedsomeoneelsetoday?49211)DidIhaveanactionplaninplacetostayabstinenttoday?49312)DoIhaveasponsorandamIworkingtheStepswiththatperson?494495WRITINGEXERCISE4961)Whatiscompulsiveeatingforme?4972)Whatarethefoodsandfoodbehaviorsthattriggermetoeatcompulsively?4983)AmIafraidtogetabstinentandifyes,why?4994)WhydoIthinkabstinenceisimportant?5005)WhatdoIdotostopeatingcompulsively?5016)WhatStepsdoItaketoremainabstinentinallcircumstances?5027)Whatisthedifferencebetweenabstinenceandaplanofeating?5038)WhatactionsdoItaketomaintainmyabstinenceandachieveormaintain504ahealthybodyweight?5059)HowdoIbeginmydayinordertoabstainfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsive506foodbehaviors?50710)WhatToolsdoIregularlyuse?50811)Howdoesremainingabstinentimprovethequalityofmylife?50912)Whatplacedoesfoodhaveinmylifetoday?510511©2014OvereatersAnonymous,Inc.Board-approved.512
513 514 515 516
LEADER517 518
519LEADER520521“Ournextsessionwillbeheldat__________[location]andstartpromptlyat__________[time]522on__________[date].Pleasecomepreparedtowork.Ifyouneedassistanceinacquiringany523oftherequiredbooks,pleasetalktomeafterthissession.Andpleasecontactmewitha524decisionaboutcommittingtothisworkshop.”525
526
527
! Closing(2minutes)
LEADER
“Toclosethissession,wouldthosewhowish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideandjoinmeinthesuggestedclosingplustheOAPromise.”
[Leaderandparticipantssay__________.]
LEADERREADS
“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.Nolongeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponourownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpowerandstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveandunderstandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”
SuggestedOpeningsandClosingsforAllSessions528
SerenityPrayer(useforallsessionsasopening)529
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochange530thethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”531
OAPromise(useforallsessionsasfinalclosing)532
“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.No533longeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponour534ownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpower535andstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveand536understandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”(IPutMyHandinYours,p.i,andBeyond537OurWildestDreams,p.207)538
ThirdStepPrayer(useforStepsThreethroughSixclosings,followedbyOAPromise)539
“God,IoffermyselftoThee—tobuildwithmeandtodowithmeasThouwilt.540Relievemeofthebondageofself,thatImaybetterdoThywill.Takeawaymy541difficulties,thatvictoryoverthemmaybearwitnesstothoseIwouldhelpofThy542Power,ThyLove,andThyWayoflife.MayIdoThywillalways!”(Alcoholics543Anonymous,4thed.,p.63)544
SeventhStepPayer(useforStepsSeventhroughTwelveclosings,followedbyOA545Promise)546
“MyCreator,Iamnowwillingthatyoushouldhaveallofme,goodandbad.Ipray547thatyounowremovefrommeeverysingledefectofcharacterwhichstandsinthe548wayofmyusefulnesstoyouandmyfellows.Grantmestrength,asIgooutfrom549here,todoyourbidding.Amen.”(AlcoholicsAnonymous,4thed.,p.76)550
551
552
553
StepOneSession554
Weadmittedwewerepowerlessoverfood—thatourliveshadbecome555unmanageable.556
557
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
558
559! Summary560
LEADER561
“Insummary,I’llreadapassagefromthe‘Doctor’sOpinion’intheBigBook13beginning562with‘Menandwomendrink…’through‘…verylittlehopeofhisrecovery’(p.xxix).Please563turntopagexxviiiandfollowalong.”564
[Leaderreadsthepassage.]565
LEADER566
“Weaskourselves:‘AmIteachableandreadytobeginthisworkshop?AmIwillingto567considerthatImaybebodilyandmentallydifferentfromnormaleaters?’Pleaseshare568aboutthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”569
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepOne(upto45minutes)570
LEADER571
“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepOne:‘Weadmittedwewerepowerlessoverfood—572thatourliveshadbecomeunmanageable.’573
“We’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.574
“PleaseopentheBigBooktopage20.575
13Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
PleaserememberthatwhenwereadAlcoholicsAnonymousliteraturealoudinagroup,wereaditexactlyaswritten.Whenreadingitsilently,manyofusfindthatwecanidentifymoreeasilybysubstitutingwordssuchas‘compulsiveeating’for‘alcoholism,’and‘food’or‘bingefood’for‘alcohol.’
Wewilltaketurnsreadingthepassagebeginningwith‘Howmanytimespeoplehavesaid576tous:…’through‘Somanywanttostopbutcannot,’atthetopofpage25.Pleasetaketurns577readingafewparagraphs.Whowouldliketobegin?”578
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]579
LEADER580
“WhathaveItoldmyself,mytherapists,doctors,friends,andfamilyaboutwhymyeating581isoutofcontrolorwhyIcan’tmaintainahealthybodyweight?What’sthetruth?582
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas583manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”584
[Leadersetsthetimer.]585
LEADER586
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage3andtaketurnsreadingthepassage,587beginningwith‘Parttwoofstepone,…’through‘Wenevergrewup’onpage5.Whowould588liketobegin?”589
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]590
LEADER591
“Howhasmyeatingcareeraffectedmeandthosearoundme?WhathaveIdonetotryto592controllife—mineandothers?Hasitworked?593
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthesequestionsoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefso594asmanyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”595
[Leadersetsthetimer.] 596
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
597
! ParticipantContactInformation598
LEADER599
“PleasefillintheParticipantContactInformationlistthat’sbeingpassedaround.I’llemail600everyoneacopy.We’llneedthiscontactinformationtoshareourhomeworkandmake601outreachcallsbeforeournextsession.”602
[LeaderpassestheParticipantContact603Informationlist.]604
! ReadingandWritingonStepOnefromForToday(25minutes)605
LEADER606
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepOne.NowwewillreadpassagesfromForToday607relatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutestowriteonthese608passagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.609
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadJuly15fromForTodayonpage197?”610
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]611
LEADER612
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadOctober24fromForTodayonpage298?”613
[Volunteerreadsthepassages.]614
LEADER615
“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatthepassagesmeantoyou.”616
[Leadersetsthetimer.]617
LEADER618
“Pleasetakefiveminuteseachtoshareyourwritingwithanotherperson.”619
[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]620
621622
14 623
624
625
14TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Abstinence14Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
! HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)
LEADER
“Herearethehomeworkassignmentsforthenextsession.”
[Leaderhandsouthomeworkworksheets.]
LEADER
“Let’sbrieflyreviewthehomeworkassignments.Werecommenddailywork,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharethehomeworkwithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.Thereadinghomeworkwillprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Wewillnotdiscusswritingoractionassignmentsduringoursessions.”
626! Closing(2minutes)
LEADER
“Toclosethissession,wouldthosewhowish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideandjoinmeinthesuggestedclosingplustheOAPromise.”
[Leaderandparticipantssay__________.]
LEADERREADS
“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.Nolongeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponourownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpowerandstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveandunderstandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”
627628
OvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshopParticipantContactInformation
Justfortoday—AmIwillingtoworkmyprogramasifmylifedependsonit?CALLBEFOREYOUTAKETHATFIRSTCOMPULSIVEBITE!
Name Phone Text?Y/N
BestTimetoCall
Email DoYouSponsor?
Leader:
Coleader:
StepOneSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession629
630
! Writing631
• HerearetwopassagesfromtheOATwelveandTwelve:632
“Anormaleatergetsfullandlosesinterestinfood.Wecompulsiveeaters633cravemore”(p.2).634
“Mostofushavetriedtodenytoourselvesthatwehavethisdisease.InOA635weareencouragedtotakeagoodlookatourcompulsiveeating,obesity,and636theself-destructivethingswehavedonetoavoidobesity—thedieting,637starving,over-exercising,orpurging”(p.3).638
• WhatexperienceshaveIhadinmyeatingcareerorintryingtohavea“normal-639looking”bodythathelpedmerelatetothesestatements?640
• Thediseaseofcompulsiveeatingisthreefold:physical,emotional,andspiritual.641Whathappenstomybody,myemotions,andmyspiritwhenIeatcompulsively?642
• FromtheAATwelveandTwelve,readthefirstandthelasttwoparagraphsofStep643One(p.21andp.24).644
• Howcantherebestrengthinadmittingweaknesswhenitcomestocompulsive645eatingandfood-relatedbehaviors?646
• Whyisitnecessaryto“hitbottom”beforebeginningtostartpracticingtheOA647programofrecovery?648
• Howhasmylifebeenunmanageable—especiallywithrespecttofamily,friends,and649work?650
! Action651
• InOvereatersAnonymous,ThirdEdition,readAppendixA(pp.191-194).652
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
• IntheBigBook15,readchapter3,“MoreaboutAlcoholism,”(pp.30-43).653
654
• Listthespecificfoodsandfood-relatedbehaviorsthattriggercompulsiveeatingor655obsessionsaroundfoodandeating.Sharethisinformationwithasponsororpartner656inrecoveryandoneotherpersoninthisworkshop.657
• HaveIdiscussedmyplanofeatingwithanabstinentsponsororpartnerin658recovery?DoIagreethatthisasensibleplanforme?659
! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepTwoSession16660
• OATwelveandTwelve,StepTwo(pp.9-17)661
• AATwelveandTwelve,StepTwo(pp.25-33)662
• BigBook17,chapter4,“WeAgnostics”(pp.44-57)663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
15Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
16OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
17Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
PleaserememberthatwhenwereadAlcoholicsAnonymousliteraturealoudinagroup,wereaditexactlyaswritten.Whenreadingitsilently,manyofusfindthatwecanidentifymoreeasilybysubstitutingwordssuchas‘compulsiveeating’for‘alcoholism,’and‘food’or‘bingefood’for‘alcohol.’
StepTwoSession675
Cametobelievethatapowergreaterthanourselvescouldrestoreustosanity.676
677
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
678! Summary679
LEADER680
“TosummarizeourworkonStepOne,I’llreadthelastparagraphofStepOnefromtheOA681TwelveandTwelve”(pp.6-7).682
LEADERREADS683
“Oncewehavebecometeachable,wecangiveupoldthoughtandbehavior684patternswhichhavefailedusinthepast,beginningwithourattemptsto685controloureatingandourweight.Honestappraisalofourexperiencehas686convincedusthatwecan’thandlelifethroughself-willalone.Firstwegrasp687thisknowledgeintellectually,andthenfinallywecometobelieveitinour688hearts.Whenthishappens,wehavetakenthefirststepandarereadyto689moveaheadinourprogramofrecovery.”690
LEADER691
“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepOne?AmIconvincedthatIampowerlessover692food—thatmylifehasbecomeunmanageable?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsoror693partnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”694
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepTwo(upto45minutes)695
LEADER696
“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepTwo:‘Cametobelievethatapowergreaterthan697ourselvescouldrestoreustosanity.’698
“We’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.699
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetothebeginningofStepTwoonpage9.Wewill700readthrough‘…begantocauseusmisery’onpage11.MayIhaveavolunteertobegin701reading?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”702
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]703
LEADER704
“Weaskourselves:‘Howhasmyeatingbehaviorbeenirrationalandself-destructive,in705otherwords“insane”?’706
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas707manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”708
[Leadersetsthetimer.]709
LEADER710
“PleaseopentheBigBook18tothebeginningofchapter4,‘WeAgnostics’(p.44).MayI711haveavolunteertostartreading,endingwith‘Soitwascomfortingtolearnthatwecould712commenceatasimplerlevel’onpage47?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs713each.”714
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]715
LEADER716
“Letmerereadthequestiononpage47:‘“DoInowbelieve,oramIevenwillingtobelieve,717thatthereisaPowergreaterthanmyself?”’718
“Hasfoodbeenmyhigherpower?IfaHigherPowercouldrestoremetosanity,whatwould719thatHigherPowerbelike?WhatcanIdotobelieveinsuchaPower?720
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthesequestionsoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefso721asmanyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”722
[Leadersetsthetimer.]723
18Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
! ReadingandWritingonStepTwofromForTodayandVoicesofRecovery(25724minutes)725
LEADER726
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepTwo.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdaily727readersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe’lltaketwentyminutestowrite728onthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.729
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadFebruary1fromForTodayonpage32?”730
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]731
LEADER732
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadMarch25fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage85?”733
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]734
LEADER735
“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatanypartofthesepassagesmeanstoyou.”736
[Leadersetsthetimer.]737
LEADER738
“Pleasetakefiveminuteseachtoshareyourwritingwithanotherperson.”739
[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]740
19 74119TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Abstinence19Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
742
743744745746747748
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
! HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)
LEADER
“Herearethehomeworkassignmentsforthenextsession.”
[Leaderhandsouthomeworkworksheets.]
LEADER
“Let’sbrieflyreviewthehomeworkassignments.Werecommenddailywork,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharethehomeworkwithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.Thereadinghomeworkwillprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Wewillnotdiscusswritingoractionassignmentsduringoursessions.”
! Closing(2minutes)
LEADER
“Toclosethissession,wouldthosewhowish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideandjoinmeinthesuggestedclosingplustheOAPromise.”
[Leaderandparticipantssay__________.]
LEADERREADS
“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.Nolongeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponourownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpowerandstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveandunderstandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”
StepTwoSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession749
! Writing750
• IntheOATwelveandTwelve,readthepassagestartingonpage11with“Themore751weatethemorewesuffered,…”through“ClearlyaPowergreaterthanourselves752hadtobefoundifweweretoberestoredtosanity”atthebottomofpage12.753
• Howhasmyinsanityaroundfood—thelie,“Itwon’thurtthistime”—affectedmy754life,family,friends,work,andrelationshipwiththeworldaroundme?755
• IntheBigBook20,read“AppendixII:SpiritualExperience”(pp.567-568).DidIcome756toOAwithabeliefinaHigherPower?OrdidIcometoOArejectingornotbelieving757inaHigherPower?758
• DoIbelieveIcanrecoverwithoutspiritualhelp?Howwelldoesthatwork?759
• HaveIallowedcontemptforcertainreligiouspracticesorspiritualbeliefstolimit760myacceptanceofaHigherPower?Ifso,inwhatways?761
• ThekeytoStepTwoiswillingnesstoactonfaith.HowwillingamI?IfI’mnot762willing,whatcanIdoaboutthat?763
! Action764
• DiscusstheconceptofaHigherPowerwithmysponsororpartnerinrecovery.765
• WriteaparagraphdescribingaHigherPowerthatIbelievecouldrestoremeto766sanity.767
• PracticeactingasifIhavefaithinthatHigherPower.768
! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepThreeSession21769
• OATwelveandTwelve,StepThree(pp.19-27)770
20Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
21OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
• AATwelveandTwelve,StepThree(pp.34-41)771
• BigBook22772
o Chapter2,“ThereIsaSolution”(pp.17-29)773
o Chapter5,“HowItWorks”(pp.58-63,to“…wasfeltatonce.”)774
775
776
22Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
StepThreeSession777
MadeadecisiontoturnourwillandourlivesovertothecareofGodaswe778understoodHim.779
780
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
781
782! Summary783
LEADER784
“TosummarizeourworkonStepTwo,I’llreadthelastparagraphofStepTwointheOA785TwelveandTwelve”(p.17).786
LEADERREADS787
“Thiswillingnesstoactonfaith,then,wasthekeytoStepTwo.Itwasthe788beginningofahealingprocessthatwouldrelieveusofthecompulsionto789overeatandbringstabilitytoourunbalancedlives.Aswerespondedwith790actiontothelovewehavebeenshowninOA,theresultwasanewfaithin791ourselves,inothers,andinthepowerofthatlove.Wehadbeguntodevelopa792newrelationshipwithaPowergreaterthanourselves,andwewerereadyto793moveaheadwithourprogramofrecovery.”794
LEADER795
“Weaskourselves:‘AmIwillingtoconsiderthatthereisapowergreaterthanmyselfthat796canrestoremetosanity?’Pleasediscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryafter797thissession.”798
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepThree(upto45minutes)799
LEADER800
“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepThree:‘Madeadecisiontoturnourwillandourlives801overtothecareofGodasweunderstoodHim.’802
“We’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.803
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage19.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,starting804at‘Itisimpossibletotakestepthreeuntilwehavetakenthefirsttwosteps….’through‘Our805primarypurposeistoabstainfromeatingcompulsively,andweknowthatinordertodoso806wewillneedhelp’onpage20?”807
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]808
LEADER809
“HowcantakingStepThreehelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence?810
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas811manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”812
[Leadersetsthetimer.]813
LEADER814
“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage35.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,starting815atthebottomofthepagewith‘Butsupposethatinstinctcriesout,…’through‘Onegood816lookinthemirroroughttobeanswerenoughforanyalcoholic’onpage37?”817
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]818
LEADER819
“HowdoIfeelaboutbeingdependentonaHigherPower?820
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas821manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”822
[Leadersetsthetimer.]823
LEADER824
“PleaseopentheBigBook23topage62.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,startingat‘Thisis825thehowandwhyofit….’through‘…aneffect,sometimesaverygreatone,wasfeltatonce’826atthebottomofpage63?Pleasetaketurnsreadingaparagrapheach.”827
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]828
LEADER829
“AsweaskforhelpfromourHigherPowerforwillingnessanddirection,wouldthosewho830wish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideorpage63intheBigBookandjoinmeinsaying831theThirdStepPrayer?”832
[LeaderandparticipantsreadtheThirdStep833Prayer.]834
835
23Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
! ReadingandWritingonStepThreefromForTodayandVoicesofRecovery(25836minutes)837
LEADER838
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepThree.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdaily839readersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe’lltaketwentyminutestowrite840onthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.841
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadApril29fromForTodayonpage120?”842
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]843
LEADER844
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadDecember19fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage354?”845
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]846
LEADER847
“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatthepassagesmeantoyou.”848
[Leadersetsthetimer.]849
LEADER850
“Pleasetakefiveminuteseachtoshareyourwritingwithanotherperson.”851
[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]852
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
24 853
24TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Abstinence24Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
! HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)
LEADER
“Herearethehomeworkassignmentsforthenextsession.”
[Leaderhandsouthomeworkworksheets.]
LEADER
“Let’sbrieflyreviewthehomeworkassignments.Werecommenddailywork,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharethehomeworkwithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.Thereadinghomeworkwillprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Wewillnotdiscusswritingoractionassignmentsduringoursessions.”
854855
! Closing(2minutes)
LEADER
“Toclosethissession,wouldthosewhowish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideandjoinmeinthesuggestedclosingplustheOAPromise.”
[Leaderandparticipantssay__________.]
LEADERREADS
“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.Nolongeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponourownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpowerandstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveandunderstandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”
StepThreeSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession856
857
! Writing858
• IntheOATwelveandTwelve,readfrompage24,startingwith“Inexperiencedinthis859wayofliving,…”through“…spiritualprinciplesinlearningourHigherPower’swill860forus”onpage26.HowdoIknowwhatismyHigherPower’swillasopposedtomy861self-will?862
• WhatevidencedoIhaveofaHigherPowerworkinginmylife—caringforme863personally—orinthelivesofthosearoundme?864
• IntheBigBook25,onpage62readfrom“Selfishness—self-centeredness!...”through865“…wepassedtofreedom.”Whatistherootofourtroubles?Whathappenswhen866wetrytoplayGod?867
! Action868
• MemorizetheThirdStepPrayeronpagetbdofthisguideorpage63oftheBigBook.869Reciteitdaily.870
• IntheBigBook,readpage60beginningwith“Thefirstrequirement…”through“…871confusionratherthanharmony?”onpage61.Now,let’sreadthispassagealoudto872ourselves,substituting“I”for“he.”Forexample,Iamlikeanactor…ifonlypeople873woulddoasIwish.874
• Readanddiscussthesamepassagewithasponsorandanothermemberofthis875workshop.Whatdoweconclude?876
• “Oncewecompulsiveovereaterstrulytakethethirdstep,wecannotfailtorecover”877(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.27).Reflecton878thispromise.879
25Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
! ReadingAssignmentsforStepFour:SessionOneofThree26880
• OATwelveandTwelve,StepFour(pp.29-44)881
• AATwelveandTwelve,StepFour(pp.42-54)882
• BigBook27,chapter5,“HowItWorks”(pp.63-71,startingwith“Nextwe883launched…”) 884
885
26OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
27Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
StepFour:SessionOneofThree886
Madeasearchingandfearlessmoralinventoryofourselves.887
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
888! Summary(5minutes)889
LEADER890
“TosummarizeourworkonStepThree,I’llreadthelastparagraphofStepThreefromthe891OATwelveandTwelve”(p.27).892
LEADERREADS893
“Oncewecompulsiveovereaterstrulytakethethirdstep,wecannotfailto894recover.Asweliveoutourdecisiondaybyday,ourHigherPowerguidesus895throughtheremainingninesteps.Whenwefalter,weareremindedofour896commitmenttolivebyGod’swillalone,andwetrustthatthewillingnessand897abilitywillcomeifweonlyaskforthem.Whenwegetofftrack,ourHigher898Powerwillguideusback,aslongaswearesincerelytryingtoknowanddo899God’swill.Wecanconfidentlyfaceanysituationlifebrings,becauseweno900longerhavetofaceitalone.Wehavewhatweneedanytimewearewillingto901letgoofself-willandhumblyaskforhelp.”902
LEADER903
“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepThree?HaveIsincerelyturnedmywillandmy904lifeovertothecareofmyHigherPower—asIunderstandHim?’Ifnot,pleaseshareabout905thiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”906
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepFour(25minutes)907
LEADER908
“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepFour:‘Madeasearchingandfearlessmoralinventory909ofourselves.’910
“Thereareasmanywaystomakeasearchingandfearlessmoralinventoryasthereare911membersinOA.Inthisworkshop,wewillteachonespecificmethodsothatwecanall912completeStepFourinashortamountoftimeandmoveonthroughtheremainingSteps.913
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
“Inthis,thefirstofthreesessionsplannedforStepFour,wewilldiscussthepurposeofthe914Stepandhowtousetheworksheetsdesignedtoguideusthroughtheinventory.During915thissessionwewillfocusontheResentmentsandStrengthsWorksheets.Duringthenext916twosessions,wewillcoverotherinventoryworksheets.Homeworkbetweensessionswill917betocompletetheinventoryworksheetswe’vediscussed.Becauseweneedtimetopresent918anddiscusshowtousethisinventorymethod,Iwillfrequentlyusethetimer,andthe919formatofthesethreesessionswillbedifferentfromthatofothersessions.920
“Wewillnowbeginbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.921
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetothetopofpage30.We’lltaketurnsreadingone922paragraphatatime,beginningwith‘Theself-analysiswedoinstepfour…’through‘…923faithfullyuntilitiscompleted’onpage32.Whowouldliketobegin?”924
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]925
LEADER926
“WhatmightkeepmefrombeginningmyFourthStepInventory?927
“Wehavetenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas928manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”929
[Leadersetsthetimer.]930
LEADER931
“PleaseopentheBigBook28tothebottomofpage63.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthe932passage,beginningwith‘Nextwelaunched…’through‘Wewere“burnedup”’onpage65?”933
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]934
LEADER935
“Weaskourselves,‘InwhatwayswillIbenefitbyconductingapersonalinventory?’936
“Wehavetenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas937manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”938
[Leadersetsthetimer.]939
LEADER940
“Tocloseourreadinganddiscussionsection,pleaseturntopage66intheBigBook.MayI941haveavolunteertoreadtwoparagraphs,beginningwith‘Itisplain…’through‘These942thingsarepoison’?”943
28Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]944
! GeneralGuidelinesforCompletingtheFourthStepInventory(10minutes)945
LEADER946
“HerearetheGeneralInventoryGuidelinesaswellastheResentmentsWorksheet947Guidelines,theResentmentsWorksheet,theResentmentsWorksheetExamples,andthe948StepFourGlossary.TherearetwocopiesoftheResentmentsWorksheet—oneforpractice949inthissessionandoneforhomework.”950
[Leaderhandsoutthematerials.]951
LEADER952
“WewilltaketurnsreadingtheGeneralInventoryGuidelines.Pleasereadafew953paragraphs.MayIhaveavolunteertobegin?”954
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]955
LEADER956
“AftertheSeventhTraditionandabreak,wewill:957
• ReadtheResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines.958
• LookatafewexamplesofhowtousetheResentmentsWorksheet.959
• PracticecompletingtheResentmentsWorksheet.960
• ReadtheguidelinesforcompletingtheStrengthsWorksheet.961
• LookatafewexamplesusingtheStrengthsWorksheet.”962
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
! HomeworkAssignments(60minutes)963
LEADER964
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepFour.Ourhomeworkforthenextsessionisto965completetheResentmentsandStrengthsWorksheetsasthefirstpartofourFourthStep966Inventory.Toprepareforthishomework,wewillnowreviewtheworksheets,see967examples,andpracticecompletingthem.968
“WewilltaketurnsreadingtheResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines.Pleasereadafew969sectionseach.MayIhaveavolunteertobegin?”970
[Volunteerstaketurnsreading.]971
LEADER972
“Nowwe’lltakefifteenminutestoreviewtheResentmentsWorksheetandthe973ResentmentsWorksheetExamplescolumnbycolumn.Toprovideavarietyoflife974situations,severalOAmemberscontributedtheresentmentsexamples.Theydonot975representoneperson’sinventory.”976
[Leadersetsthetimerforfifteenminutestoreview977theworksheets.]978
LEADER979
“Incolumnonewelistthepeople,institutions,andprinciplesweresent.MayIhavea980volunteertoreadthedefinitionof‘resentment’anditssynonymsfromtheGlossary?”981
[VolunteerreadsfromtheGlossary.]982
LEADER983
“Arethereanyquestionsoranythingtodiscussaboutwhataresentmentisandwhoor984whatwemightresent?985
“Afterlistingeveryoneandeverythingweresentincolumnone,incolumntwowewritea986briefdescriptionoftheresentment—whatitisthatweresentabouttheperson,institution,987orprinciple.Aftercompletingallofcolumntwo,weworkoncolumnthree.Working988verticallydowncolumnthree,wecheckoneormoreoftheaspectsofselfthatthesituation989threatened.Willsomeonereadthedefinitionofoneofthoseaspectsofselffromthe990Glossary?”991
[VolunteerreadsfromtheGlossary.]992
LEADER993
“Wecanreadtheotherdefinitionslateronourown.Aswecompletecolumnthree,review994thesuggestionsintheResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines.Arethereanyquestionsor995anythingtodiscussaboutcolumnstwoorthree?996
“Aftercompletingallofcolumnthree,weworkoncolumnfourfromtoptobottom.In997columnfourwebrieflyexamineanddescribeourpart,ifany,increating,contributingto,or998sustainingthissituation.Aftercompletingcolumnfour,webeginoncolumnfive.Incolumn999five,weselectoneormoreofthecharactertraitsthatmayhavetriggeredourresentment1000andcirclethemostimportantone.Asweworkfromtoptobottomincolumnfive,our1001patternsmaybegintoappear.Willsomeonepleasereadthedefinitionofoneofthese1002charactertraitsfromtheGlossary?”1003
[VolunteerreadsfromtheGlossary.]1004
LEADER1005
“Wouldanyoneliketohearanotherdefinitionread?Arethereanyquestionsoranythingto1006discussaboutcolumnsfourorfive?1007
“Nowwe’lllookatexamplesofhowthisworksheetisused.MayIhaveavolunteertoread1008oneortwooftheexamplesintheResentmentsWorksheetExamples?Pleasereadacross1009therowsowecanseehowtheworksheetwascompletedforeachone.1010
[VolunteerreadsexamplesfromtheGlossary.]1011
LEADER1012
“BeforewemoveontopracticingwiththeResentmentsWorksheet,we’lltakefiveminutes1013toansweranyquestionsordiscussanythingwehavecoveredsofar—theGeneral1014InventoryGuidelines,theResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines,ortheResentments1015WorksheetExamples.”1016
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1017
LEADER1018
“TakeoneoftheResentmentsWorksheetsandchooseoneresentmentthatyouarewilling1019totalkaboutintheworkshoptouseaspractice.Inthenexttenminutes,completethe1020ResentmentsWorksheetforthatoneitem.ReviewtheResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines1021andExamplesandlookupdefinitionsandsynonymsintheGlossaryasneeded.”1022
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1023
LEADER1024
“Pairupwithanotherpersonintheworkshopandforthenextfiveminutessharehowyou1025completedtheworksheet.”1026
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1027
LEADER1028
“Nowthatwehavebrieflyusedtheworksheet,let’stakefiveminutestodiscussany1029questionswehaveaboutthisworksheetortheprocessingeneral.”1030
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1031
LEADER1032
“Onpage33,theOATwelveandTwelvesays:‘Itiseasierformostofustoproceedwithstep1033fourifwetaketimetoacknowledgeourassetsinadditiontoourshortcomings.Nomatter1034howmanyproblemswehave,eachofusalsohaspositivecharacteristics;it’simportant1035thatwerecognizethematsomepointduringtheinventoryprocess.’1036
“Pleasereviewwithasponsororpartnerinrecoverywhenthebesttimewouldbeto1037completetheStrengthsInventory—asthefirstactiontotake,betweenotherinventories,or1038attheendoftheprocess.WewillnowpassouttheStrengthsWorksheet,Strengths1039WorksheetExamples,andStrengthsWorksheetGuidelines.”1040
[Leaderhandsoutthematerials.]1041
LEADER1042
“NowwewillreviewtheStrengthsWorksheetandlookatsomeexamplesofhowtofillit1043out.WewilltaketurnsreadingtheStrengthsWorksheetGuidelines.Afteronesectionor1044paragraphisread,thenextpersonwillcontinue.MayIhaveavolunteertobegin?”1045
[Volunteerstaketurnsreading.]1046
LEADER1047
“Nowwe’lllookatexamplesofhowtousetheStrengthsWorksheet.MayIhaveavolunteer1048toreadoneortwooftheexamples,readingacrosstherowsowecanseehowthe1049worksheetwascompletedforeachone?”1050
[Volunteerreadsexamples.]1051
LEADER1052
“Beforewecontinue,we’lltakefiveminutestoansweranyquestionsordiscussanything1053wehavecoveredabouttheStrengthsInventory—theStrengthsWorksheetGuidelines,the1054examples,ortheworksheetitself.”1055
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1056
29 1057
29TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
1058
LEADER1059
“Before our next session, complete the Resentments Worksheet and the Strengths1060Worksheet.1061
1062
1063
1064
1065
1066
! Abstinence29Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
! HomeworkAssignments
Remembertopray,talkwithasponsor,makeoutreachcalls,attendmeetings,andgenerallysupportyourprogramduringthisprocess.Ifperfectionismandprocrastinationareamongourcharacterdefects,wehumblyaskourHigherPowertoremovethem,andthen,ifnecessary,actasifthey’vebeenremoved.Keepmovingforward!”
GeneralInventoryGuidelines1067
FollowtheseguidelinesaswecompletetheStepFourInventoryworksheets.1068
Begin1069BeginrightaftertakingStepThreeandcompletingtheStepFourreadings.Readthe1070passageonpage63oftheBigBook30,beginningwith“Nextwelaunched…”through“…1071hadbeenblockingus”atthetopofpage64.1072
Copytheworksheets1073Makecopiesoftheworksheetsprovidedbeforebeginningtoworkoneachone:1074Resentments,Strengths,Fears,SexConduct,Harms(GuiltandRemorse),OtherProblem1075Areas,andOldBeliefs.Makemorethanonecopy.1076
Setasidetime1077Setasidetimetoworkontheinventory.Manyofusfoundthatsettingasidethirty1078minutesoranhourinthemorningonadailybasiskeptusmovingforward.Some1079suggestednotworkingatnight,justbeforebedtime,becausetheirmindscouldn’tstop1080revisitingthepastandtheycouldn’tgotosleep.Othersfocusedtheireffortsand1081completedtheinventoryinoneweekend.1082
Choosesomeplaceprivate1083Chooseaprivateplacetowritewherewewon’tbeinterrupted,ifpossible.1084
Pray/Meditate1085Beforebeginningeachsession,weaskourHigherPowertogiveusthehonesty,open-1086mindedness,andwillingnesstoseeourselvesclearly.1087
UsetheGlossary1088ReviewtheworksheetsandusetheGlossarynotonlyfordefinitionsofthetermsused1089intheworksheetsbutalsoforsynonyms.1090
Readtheworksheetguidelines1091Beforebeginningeachworksheet,readtheindividualworksheetguidelines(for1092example,ResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines)andtherelevantworksheetexamples.1093
Workvertically1094Completeeachworksheetvertically,movingfromlefttoright:Completeallofcolumn1095onebeforemovingontocolumntwo,completecolumntwobeforemovingtocolumn1096three,andsoon.Forexample,ontheResentmentsWorksheetlistpeople,institutions,1097andprinciplesweresent.Afterthelistiscomplete,moveontothesecondcolumnand,1098infourorfivewords,describewhyweresenteachone.1099
30Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
Keepmoving1100Ifperfectionismandprocrastinationareamongourcharacterdefects,humblyaskour1101HigherPowertoremovethem.Then,ifnecessary,actasifthey’vebeenremoved.Ours1102isaprogramofaction.Ifweareunsurehowtocompleteonecolumnor,forexample,1103whichtriggertocheck,leaveitblankfornow.Talkwithasponsororaskforhelpduring1104theFifthStep.Goontothenextitem.1105
Bethorough1106StepFoursayswetooka“searchingandfearlessmoralinventoryofourselves,”which1107includes“takeittomygrave”issues.Listeverything.Itistheonlywaytotakean1108effectiveinventory.Ourrecoverydependsonit.Aswecompleteeachworksheet,we1109mayfindithelpfultoreviewtherelevantsectionoftheStepFourquestionsintheOA1110TwelveandTwelvetojogourmemory.1111
Lookforpatterns1112Afterwecompleteeachworksheetorwhenwecompletethemall,wemayfindit1113illuminatingtoreviewthemandlookforpatterns.Didwefrequentlyfeellikeavictim?1114Didweoftenfeelinsulted?Wereweoftenfearful?Didpeoplefrequentlyfailtomeetour1115expectations?Therearemanypossiblepatterns.1116
Pray/Meditate1117CloseeachsessionwithaprayerthankingourHigherPowerforsupport,courage,1118honesty,andinsight.1119
WhengoingthroughStepFour,beashonestaspossiblebutdon’twastetimediggingfor1120problems.Ourmindandheartwilltelluswhatweneedtodealwith.Intime,morewillbe1121revealedasneeded.Mostpeoplebeginwiththeirresentments.SomeworkontheStrengths1122Worksheetfirstorbetweentheotherworksheets.1123
However,anyresentmentorguiltknowinglyomittedislikecoveringaninfectedsorewith1124abandageandhopingitwillhealbyitself.Usuallyasore,particularlyanoldandinfected1125one,needstobecleanedbeforeitheals.TheFourththroughNinthStepsarethecleaning1126andhealingprocess.1127
Beginhere,notasanopportunitytoblameourselves,butasanopportunitytolearnmore1128aboutourselves,abouthowwelearnedtohandlelife.Knowingourselvesisthefirststepto1129growthbychoosingnewpatternsandallowingourHigherPowertheopportunitytoguide1130usintoamorefulfillingandenjoyablelife.1131
Remindourselveswhywearedoingthisinventorybyreadingthefollowingpassagefrom1132theOATwelveandTwelve,(pp.29-30).1133
“Thoseofuswhohavecompletedstepfourhavefoundthattakingthis1134searchingandfearlessmoralinventorywasoneofthemostlovingthingswe1135everdidforourselves.Aswetookanhonestlookatthepast,atwhowe’d1136beenandwhatwe’ddone,webegantounderstandourselvesbetter.That1137understandingwasthebeginningofemotionalhealing.Manyofushadlived1138ourlivesuptothispointwithasecretfeelingofshame.Wecarrieddeepin1139ourheartsthefeelingthatwewereworthlessorinsignificant.Oftenthis1140shamestemmedfromunresolvedguiltovermistakeswe’dneverfullydealt1141with.Wehadneverfacedourwrongshonestlyandacknowledgedthem,so1142wewereleftfeelingashamed.Writingourstep-fourinventoryenabledusto1143begincleaningupthemessesofthepastsowecouldstartlifeover,afresh.”1144
1145
1146
ResentmentsWorksheetGuidelines1147
ColumnOne1148
Listallpeople,institutions,andprinciplesweresent:1149
Peoplesuchasspouses,significantothers,family,andfriendsoftencometomindfirst.1150Wealsoincludeourselves.1151
Institutionssuchaschurches,government,races,nationalities,authorities,1152correctionalsystems,educationsystems,andsoon1153
Principlessuchasaffirmativeaction,speedlimits,etiquetterules,sin,heaven,hell,and1154soon1155
Althoughwewanttoincludeeveryoneandeverythingweresent,forthepurposesof1156thisworkshop,wemaywanttocompletetheremainingcolumnsforonlythetoptenor1157twentythatkeepusawakeatnightorfillourthoughtsduringtheday.1158
ColumnTwo1159
Describe,briefly,whyweresenteachone.1160
Chooseafewwordstocapturetheessenceofthesituationandmoveontothenextone.1161Donotletourmindwastetimebydivingintothepastatlength,replayingallthepainful1162details,andsinkingintothemireofthefeelings.1163
ColumnThree1164
Whichaspectsofself,suchasprideorsecurity,arethreatenedbytheresentment?1165
Indicateoneormorewithacheckmark.Wearelookingforgeneralpatterns.Ifwe1166checkmorethanone,circletheonethatisthedrivingforce.Circlingone,oreventwo1167onoccasion,doesnotmeanthattheothersareunimportant.1168
Aswethinkabouteachaspectofselfinrelationtoaparticularincident,thequestions1169belowmaybehelpful.UsetheGlossaryasneeded.1170
Ambition1171
IsthissituationorpersonblockingmefromgettingwhatIwantorneed?1172
DoIfearlosingsomethingIalreadyhave?1173
Pride1174
DoIfeelinsulted?DoIfeeltheotherpersondoesn’trecognizehowimportantIam?1175
Doesthissituationorpersonaffectmysenseofmystatusintheworld?1176
AmIafraidofwhatotherpeoplewillthinkofme?1177
Doesthissituationorpersoncriticizemeinanyway?1178
IsthispersonnotbeingusefultomeinawayIthinksheorheshould?1179
Relationships1180
Doesthissituationorpersonactuallyorpotentiallyhurtmyrelationshipswith1181anotherperson,myself,ormyHigherPower?1182
Security1183
Doesthissituationorpersonaffectmyfinancial,emotional,orphysicalsecurity?1184
DoIfeelunsafe?1185
DoIfeelaloneordisconnectedfromothers?1186
DoIfeeluncaredfor?1187
Self-Esteem1188
DoIfeelundervaluedinthissituationorbythisperson?1189
DoIfeelinvisibleorunheard?1190
Aftercompletingthefirstthreecolumns,turntotheBigBook.31.Itsuggeststhatwestop1191andconsiderourworksofar.Readtheparagraphonpage66beginning“Weturnedback…1192”1193
So,whatdowedowiththesefeelings?ReadtheparagraphintheBigBookstartingonpage119466thatrecommendsprayingfortolerance,pity,andpatience,beginningwith“Thiswasour1195course….”1196
Wethenreturntoourinventory.1197
ColumnFour1198
Brieflydescribeourroleineachscenario.HowdidIcauseaproblemormakethe1199situationworse?1200
Putasidethoughtsofwhatthispersondidorwhatthatsituationcaused.Askwhere1201haveIbeenselfish,dishonest,self-seeking,andfrightened.Evenifaneventisn’tentirely1202myfault,wherewasItoblame?1203
31Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
Weaskourselveswhatwedidorsaidtomakeothersretaliateagainstus,orhowwe1204treatedthembadlyinthepast.Insomecases,thiscolumnisleftblank(beingabusedor1205molestedasachildisoneexample).Ifindoubt,leaveitblankanddiscusswitha1206sponsor.1207
ColumnFive1208
Whichcharacterdefectsorthoughtstriggeredourreactiontoeachsituation?1209
Indicateoneormorewithacheckmark.Wearelookingforgeneralpatterns.Ifwe1210checkmorethanone,circletheonethatisthedrivingforce.Circlingone,oreventwo,1211doesnotmeantheothersareunimportant.Ifnoneofthetriggerslistedfitsthe1212situation,writetheappropriatewordinthe“other”column.1213
Asanexampleofcompletingthissection,Imightwrite:1214
Iwasangrywithmymotherbecauseshemadeaderogatoryremarkaboutfatpeople—1215notdirectedatme,butinmypresence—andmyfeelingswerehurt.Iwas100pounds1216(45kg)overweight,andIthoughtsheshouldhavebeenmoresensitivetome.Whatwas1217mycharacterdefect?Itturnedouttobemorethanone:1218
• Myexpectationthatsheshouldbehavedifferently(myrulesaboutappropriate1219behaviorandmylackofacceptancethatshewasself-centeredtoo)1220
• Myownlowself-esteemaboutmyweight1221• Myself-centeredthinkingthateverythingisaboutme1222• Myfearthatifshedoesn’tlikefatpeopleshecan’tloveme.Ifmyownmother1223
can’tloveoracceptmebecauseI’mfat,whocan?Imustbeunworthy.1224
WhenIwasgrowingup,Iacceptedheropinionoffatpeopleandfeltunworthyand1225unacceptablewhenIwasoverweight.Ifaskedthen,IwouldhavecircledFearandLow1226Self-Esteemincolumnfive.Asanadultinprogram,Iwasstunnedbyherinsensitivity,1227soIcheckedthosebutcircledExpectations.1228
Remember,theothercharacterdefectsareimportantandwillnotbeignored.However,1229Iwaslookingforpatternsinthepresentandmyexpectationsofhowotherpeople1230shouldbehaveoftendisruptedmyserenity,tosaytheleast.Lookingahead,allthose1231characterdefectsendeduponmylistforStepsSixandSeven.TodayallIhadtodowas1232completeStepFour.1233
Whatifwecan’tidentifyourpartandleavecolumnfourblank?Incolumnfivewemight1234listfeelingsofbeingavictiminthe“other”column.Considerhowthosefeelingsmight1235beaffectingourreactionstolifeandpeoplenow.1236
Regardlessofwhathappenedtousbeforeandhowresentfulwefeel,weareadultsnow1237andresponsibleforouractions.Wedon’thavetoletthepastdetermineourfuture.Healing1238ispossible.1239
1240
ResentmentWorksheetExamples“Angerandresentmentarecommonmanifestationsofourdisease.Infact,mostofusatecompulsivelywhenwefeltangerorresentment.Aswecontinuewritingourinventories,itisimportanttolistthepeopleandinstitutionswe’veheldgrudgesagainst”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.38).
1 2 3 4 5 People,
institutions,principlesIresent: Why?
Whataspectofselfishurtorthreatened?
Whatismypartincreatingthissituation?
Whatcharacterdefect/traittriggersmyreaction?
Ambition
Pride
Relationships
Security
Self-esteem
Dishonesty
Expectations
Greed/Envy
Fear
LowSelf-
esteem
Self-
Centeredness
Other
Eleanor CamelatetomyMother’smemorialservice.
+ Wantedeverythingtobeperfect.
+ +
TaxCollectors
Theirrulesareunfair.
+ + Iliedinordertosavemoneybysayingmyvitaminsweremedicines.
+ + +
Mymother MademefeelunacceptablewhenIwasn’tthin.
+ + + + + Wasoverweight. + + +
Myboss Laidmeoff. + + + + + Didn’tfollowhisdirectionbecauseIknewabetterway.
+ + Arrogance
Waitress Tooktoolongtobringthefood.
+ + + WantthingswhenIwantthem.
+ + Impatient;senseofentitle-ment
Uncle MolestedmewhenIwasayounggirl.
+ + + + None + + Havefeltlikeavictimeversince.
ResentmentWorksheet“Angerandresentmentarecommonmanifestationsofourdisease.Infact,mostofusatecompulsivelywhenwefeltangerorresentment.Aswecontinuewritingourinventories,itisimportanttolistthepeopleandinstitutionswe’veheldgrudgesagainst”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.38).
1 2 3 4 5 People,
institutions,principlesIresent: Why?
Whataspectofselfishurtorthreatened?
Whatismypartincreatingthissituation?
Whatcharacterdefect/traittriggersmyreaction?
Ambition
Pride
Relationships
Security
Self-esteem
Dishonesty
Expectations
Greed/Envy
Fear
LowSelf-
esteem
Self-
Centeredness
Other
StepFourGlossary1246
Term Definition SynonymsAmbition eagerorstrongdesiretoachieve
something;goals,plans,designsforthefuture
zeal,longing,appetite,craving,drive,initiative,yearning,desire
Anxiety uneaseanddistressaboutfuturepossibilities
fearfulness,worry,excessiveconcern,fretting
Arrogance offensivedisplayofsuperiorityorself-importance;overbearingpride;contemptordisregardforothers
haughtiness,snobbery,insolence,disdain,conceit
Belief somethingacceptedastrue stronglyheldopinionorview(thetruth)abouthowself,others,andtheworldare;alwayshappens:“JustwhatIexpected”;couldbeseenasapatternoralabel
Characterdefect “exactnatureofourwrongs”:waysofhandlinglifethatinterferewithourhappiness,goodrelationswithothers,andconsciouscontactwithourHigherPower
shortcoming,deficiency,flaw,fault,charactertrait
Conceit overdevelopedopinionofone’sabilities,personality,orworth
vanity,egotism,self-importance,arrogance,pride,swellheadedness,selfishness,boastfulness
Control(excessive) goingtoextremestoinfluenceordominatepeopleorsituations
tryingtomakethingsturnoutMYway;manipulative,domineering
Criticize tojudgeharshly totakesomeoneelse’sinventory;blame,condemn,disparage,findfault,knock,nag,nitpick,trash,takedown,bash,carp,denounce
Discourteous behaviorthatisill-manneredorimpolite.
crude,disrespectful
Dishonesty adispositiontocheat,steal,deceive,orliebycommissionoromission
lying,lackofintegrity,evasiveness,cheating,fraud,stealing,unscrupulousness,livingindenial;notspeakingmytruthordoingwhatisbestforme;notsettingboundaries
Doormat toallowmistreatmentofoneselfbyothers
passive,compliant,wishy-washy,afraidtospeakup
Term Definition SynonymsEnvy resentfuldesireforanother’s
possessionsoradvantagescovetousness,jealousy
Expectations personalrulesabouthowoneandothersshouldbehave,howtheworldshouldwork,orhowthingsshouldbedone
rule,standard;normalwayforpoliteorconsideratepeopletobehave;believeotherpeoplewillknowwhatIamthinkingwithouttellingthem
Falsepride feelingoneisentitledtothingsnotearned;feelinganeedtostandoutorbeaboveothers;cravingattentionandnotoriety;feelingbetterthanorlessthanothers
denial,phoniness
Fear alarmandanxietycausedbytheexpectationorrealizationofdanger—realorimagined—suchas,fearofharm,losingsomethingyouhave,notgettingwhatyouwant,snakes,heights,publicspeaking,success,failure,andsoon
alarm,dread,terror,dismay,cowardice,anxiety,apprehension,distrust,uncertainty,phobia;resentfulaboutsomethingthathasn’thappenedyet;blowingthingsoutofproportion
Gossip habitualrepetitionofintimateorprivateandoftensensationalrumorsorfacts
defamation,grapevine,malicioustalk,meddling,scuttlebutt,whisperingcampaign,hearsay,tellingsecrets
Greed overwhelmingdesirestoacquireorhave,suchaswealthorpower,inexcessofwhatonerequiresordeserves
avarice,lust,gluttony,voraciousappetite,alwayswantingmore,chronicdissatisfaction
Grudge reluctancetoadmitorgiveuparesentment
bitterresentment;wantingrevengeorfeelingvindictive
Guilt remorsefulawarenessofhavingdonesomethingwrongorhavingfailedtodosomethingrequiredorexpected
self-condemnation,remorse
Harm physicaloremotionaldamage damage,injure,insult,wound,embarrass,debase,hurt,causealoss,bruise,kill,scar
Hate tofeelgreatanimosityordislike despise,loathe
Impatience inabilitytowaitpatientlyortoleratedelay;inabilitytoendureoppositionorirritation
restlessness,intolerance
Inconsiderate nottakingtheneedsandfeelingsofothersintoaccount;seealsoself-centeredness
thoughtless;notseeingsituationsfromanother’sperspective;notconsideringasituationmaynotbeaboutme
Term Definition SynonymsInsincerity toputupafalseappearance hypocrisy,deceitfulness,
phoniness,artificiality,pretense,falseness
Intolerant unwillingnessorrefusaltotolerateorrespectdifferencesinopinionsorinbeliefsorpersonsofdifferentraces,religions,backgrounds,orothercharacteristics;impatientwithannoyances
bigoted,prejudiced,biased,narrow-minded,opinionated
Jealous fearfulorwaryofbeingreplacedbyarival,especiallyinregardtoanother'saffections
green-eyedmonster,envious,distrustful,suspicious
Laziness resistanttoworkorexertion;avoidingorshirkingwork
sloth,shiftless,idle
Lowself-esteem lackofacceptance,approval,andrespecttowardoneself,manifestedbypersonalnonrecognitionofone’sabilitiesandachievementsandlackofacknowledgementandacceptanceofone’slimitations
insecurity,underappreciation,underrated,undervalued,self-deprecation,worthless
Moral concernedwiththeprinciplesofrightandwrongbehaviorandthegoodnessorbadnessofhumancharacter
ethical,virtuous
Negativeattitude tendencytotakethemostunfavorableviewofmostsituations
chiponone’sshoulder;expectingtheworst;defeatism,gloomyoutlook,negativethinking,pessimism,cynicism
Over-sensitive undulysensitive;feelingseasilyhurt touchy,thin-skinned,fragile
Perfectionism tendencytosetoverlyhighstandards;usingone’sownideaoftherightwaytodothings,andbeingdispleasedwithanythingless;maytrytoohardornotatall
intolerance,nitpicking,hairsplitting,faultfinding,pettiness,quibbling;needtodoeverythingright;givingup
Pride whatIthinkothersthinkofme;aninflatedsenseofone’spersonalstatus(negativeaspect);havingorshowingarrogantsuperioritytoanddisdainofotherswhooneviewsasunworthy;seefalsepride
conceit,egotistical,boastful,phony,vain
Procrastination puttingoffsomethinguntilalaterdate dawdling,takingone’ssweettime
Relationships social,business,orsexualconnectionswithotherpeople
ties,links,relations,kinship,association
Term Definition SynonymsRemorse bitterregretforpastmisdeeds feelingterriblysorryorguilty
aboutpreviouswordsoractions;regret
Resentment indignationorillwillfeltasaresultofarealorimaginedoffense;lifenotgoingasexpectedordesired
bitterness,annoyance,anger,grudge,righteousindignation,animosity,hate
Security basicdesireformoney,property,andpossessions;generalsenseofemotionalandphysicalwell-being;feelingofphysical,emotional,orfinancialsafety
protection,armor,shield
Self-esteem whatIthinkofmyself;anattitudeofacceptance,approval,andrespectforoneselfwhilerecognizingone’sabilitiesandlimitations
self-respect
Self-centeredness concernedonlywithorprimarilywithone’sowninterests,benefits,andwelfarewithoutregardforothers
selfishness,self-seeking,egocentricity;wantingotherstodothingsmyway;wantingpraisefromothers;wantingtocontrolthesituation;wantingmyneedstakencareofbeforeothers;feelingthatIknowmorethanothers
Self-pity feelingsorryforoneself;especiallyexaggeratedorself-indulgentpity
poorme,hopelessness,despair,depression,spoiled
Self-righteousness havinganexaggeratedfeelingofone’sownvirtuousnessorrights;confidentofone’sownrightness,especiallywhensmuglymoralisticandintolerantoftheopinionandbehaviorsofothers
Sanctimonious,superior,smug,holier-than-thou,preachy
Shame afeeling,belief,orperceptionthattheselfisdefective,unworthy,unacceptableorfundamentallydamaged;differentfromguilt,whichisremorseaboutaspecificbehavior,nottheentireself
unworthy,notgoodenough,self-disgust
Strengths positiveemotionalcharacteristics assets,positiveattributes,strongpoints,capabilities
Truth astatementacceptedastrueorreality currentunderstandingorviewVictim oneharmedbyanaction,acondition,
oracircumstancesufferer,prey,martyr
Worry tormentingoneselfwithdisturbingthoughts
fret,stew,feeldistressed,beoverlyconcerned
Worthlessness havingnovalue,importance,orusefulness
low,despicable,withoutmerit,insignificant
1247
StrengthsWorksheetGuidelines1248
Athoroughinventorylooksatbothwhatworksandwhatdoesn’tworktodrawanaccurate1249pictureandestablishafoundationforthefuture.TheAATwelveandTwelveincludessome1250pertinentpassages.Startingonpage42,atthebeginningoftheStepFourchapter,read1251through“…farexceedtheirproperfunctions.”Onpage44,theunderlyingcauseofour1252compulsionisattributedto“instinctrunwild.”1253
Wecan,therefore,lookatmanyofourcharactertraitsasbeingonacontinuum,suchas1254stingytoprudent,passivetoenergetic,stubborntopersistent.Inrecoveryweoftenfind1255ourstrengthinbalanceandmoderation.Onthisworksheetwelookatourassetstoday.1256
ColumnOne1257
Listourpersonalassets—whatwerecognizeandvalueasstrengths.1258
ReadthroughthePartialListofCharacterStrengthsbelowforideas.Thinkaboutwhat1259givesusjoyorwhatwehaveaccomplished.Someofushaveamuchhardertime1260acknowledgingourstrengthsthanwedoourdefects.Truehumilityishavinganaccurate1261viewofourselves—andthatincludesourstrengths.1262
PartialListofCharacterStrengths1263
ArtisticAstuteBraveCompassionateConsistentCreativeDiligentEagertolearnEnergeticEnthusiasticFairForgivingGenerousHumorous
GratefulHonestHopefulHumbleIndustriousIngeniousInsightfulIntenseKindLight-heartedLovingLoyalModestNurturing
Open-mindedOptimisticPerseverantPrudentResponsibleSelf-disciplinedSociallyadeptSociallyresponsibleSpiritualTeachableThoroughThoughtfulTrustingWise
1264
ColumnTwo1265
Brieflydescribesituationsorinstanceswhenweusedourstrengths.1266
Chooseafewwordstocapturetheessenceofthesituationandmoveon.Althoughwedo1267notwanttodwellinthepast,itisrefreshingtospendafewmomentshereremembering1268goodfeelings.1269
1270
StrengthsWorksheetExamples“Nomatterhowmanyproblemswehave,eachofusalsohaspositivecharacteristics;it’simportantthatwerecognizethematsomepointduringtheinventoryprocess”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.33).
1 2
Irecognizeandvalueaboutmyself: Examples:Iappreciatemyabilitytolearn. Idonothesitatetotakeonnewprojects,knowingIcanlearnwhatIneed
toknowbyresearchingoraskingpeopleforhelp.
Iworkhardandalwaystrytodoagoodjob. Iamproudofmyworkandmybossesappreciateme.
Icareaboutotherpeople. IenjoyhelpingpeoplewhenIcanandamconsideredagoodlistener.
Iamhonest. Icanbetrustedwithmoneyandhavebeentreasurerformanyorganizations.
Ilovebeautifulthingslikeartandmusic. Idelightingoingtomuseumsandconcerts.Ienjoydecoratingmyhouseandcreatingapleasantenvironment.
Iappreciatenature. Walkingalongthebeachnurturesmysoul.Ialsoloveanimals,enjoymycat,anddonatetoanimalrescueorganizations.
StrengthsWorksheet“Nomatterhowmanyproblemswehave,eachofusalsohaspositivecharacteristics;it’simportantthatwerecognizethematsomepointduringtheinventoryprocess”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.33).
1 2
Irecognizeandvalueaboutmyself: Examples:
1275
1276
! Closing(2minutes)
LEADER
“Toclosethissession,wouldthosewhowish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideandjoinmeinthesuggestedclosingplustheOAPromise.”
[Leaderandparticipantssay__________.]
LEADERREADS
“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.Nolongeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponourownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpowerandstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveandunderstandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”
StepFour:SessionOneofThreeHomework1277
1278
! Action1279
• Callasponsororpartnerinrecoveryifstuckordon’tknowhowtousethe1280worksheets.1281
• CompletetheResentmentsWorksheet.Useasmanysheetsasneeded.1282
• CompletetheStrengthsWorksheet.Useasmanysheetsasneeded.1283
1284
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
StepFour:SessionTwoofThree1285
Madeasearchingandfearlessmoralinventoryofourselves.1286
1287
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
1288
1289! Summary(5minutes)1290
LEADER1291
“Lastsessionwebeganwritingourinventoriesbylookingatourresentments.To1292summarizeourworksofar,I’llreadaparagraphonpage66fromtheBigBook32beginning1293‘Ifweweretolive….’Pleasefollowalong.”1294
[Leaderreadsthepassage.]1295
LEADER1296
“Inaddition,wearemakingasearchingandfearlessmoralinventoryofourselves,not1297others.TheBigBookremindsusofthisonpage67:‘Puttingoutofourmindsthewrongs1298othershaddone,weresolutelylookedforourownmistakes.’1299
“Weaskourselves:‘HaveIstartedafearlessandmoralinventoryandamIwillingto1300identifythemistakesIhavemade?HaveItrulyacknowledgedallmystrengths?’Please1301shareaboutthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—especiallyiffeelingstuckor1302confusedabouttheinventoryprocess.”1303
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepFour—Fear(20minutes)1304
LEADER1305
“WewillnowcontinueourworkonStepFour:‘Madeasearchingandfearlessmoral1306inventoryofourselves.’1307
“Inthis,thesecondofthreesessionsplannedforStepFour,wewilldiscusshowtousethe1308Fears,SexConduct,andHarmsWorksheets.Homeworkduringthisweekwillbeto1309completetheseworksheets.Inthenextsession,we’llcovertheremainingworksheets.We1310willnowbeginbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.PleaseopentheOA1311TwelveandTwelvetopage37.We’lltaketurnsreadingoneparagraphatatime,beginning1312
32Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
with‘Aswetakeinventorywealsolookatourfears….’through‘Haveweeverabandoneda1313personwehadaresponsibilitytohelp?’onpage38.MayIhaveavolunteertobegin1314reading?”1315
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]1316
LEADER1317
“Let’sdiscussthisquestion:Howhasfearmotivatedthechoicesorbehaviorsinourlife?1318
“Wehavetenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas1319manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”1320
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1321
LEADER1322
“PleaseopentheBigBook33tothebottomofpage67.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthe1323passage,beginningwith‘Noticethattheword“fear”…’through‘…tomatchcalamitywith1324serenity’inthemiddleofpage68?”1325
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]1326
LEADER1327
“Howhavewebeendealingwithourfears,andhowhasthatbeenworkingforus?1328
“Wehavetenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas1329manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”1330
[Leadersetsthetimer]1331
LEADER1332
“Tocloseourreadinganddiscussionsectiononfear,pleaseturntopage68intheBigBook.1333MayIhaveavolunteertoreadtheparagraphbeginning‘Weneverapologize…’?”1334
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]1335
! InstructionsforCompletingtheFearsWorksheet(35minutes)1336
LEADER1337
“Tohelpuscompletethispartofourinventory,herearetheFearsWorksheetGuidelines,1338theFearsWorksheetExamples,andtwocopiesoftheFearsWorksheet.Wewilluseoneas1339practicenow;usetheotheroneforhomework.Makeextracopiesasneeded.”1340
33Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
[Leaderhandsoutthematerials.]1341
LEADER1342
“WewilltaketurnsreadingtheFearsWorksheetGuidelines.Pleasereadafewsections.1343MayIhaveavolunteertobegin?”1344
[Volunteerstaketurnsreading.]1345
LEADER1346
“Nowwe’llreviewtheFearsWorksheetandtheFearsWorksheetExamplescolumnby1347column.”1348
[Leadersetstimerfortenminutestoreviewthe1349worksheets.]1350
LEADER1351
“Incolumnonewritealistofourfears.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthedefinitionoffear1352andthesynonymsintheGlossary?”1353
[VolunteerreadsfromtheGlossary.]1354
LEADER1355
“Arethereanyquestionsoranydiscussion?1356
“Incolumntwowriteabriefdescriptionofwhywewereafraid.Incolumnthree,checkone1357ormoreoftheareasofselfthatthesituationthreatened,suchasself-esteemor1358relationships.WillsomeonereadoneofthoseareasfromtheGlossary?”1359
[VolunteerreadsfromtheGlossary.]1360
LEADER1361
“Wecanreadtheotherdefinitionsatalatertime.Wemightwanttoreviewthesuggestions1362givenintheGeneralInventoryGuidelinesforcompletingcolumnthree.Isthereany1363discussionorarethereanyquestionsaboutcolumnstwoorthree?1364
“Incolumnfourbrieflyexamineanddescribeourpart,ifany,increating,contributingto,or1365sustainingthesituation.Incolumnfiveselectoneormoreofthecharactertraitsthatmay1366havetriggeredourreactionsandcirclethemostimportant.Willsomeonepleaseselectone1367ofthetraitsandreadthedefinitionandsynonymsfromtheGlossary?”1368
[VolunteerreadsfromtheGlossary.]1369
LEADER1370
“Wouldanyoneliketohearanotherdefinitionread?Arethereanyquestionsabout1371columnsfourorfive?1372
“ColumnsixasksustowritebrieflyaboutwhatourHigherPowerwouldhaveusbeifwe1373didn’thavethisfear.Noticethatthewordis‘be’andnot‘do’;forexample,‘bemoreloving,’1374not‘fixmyfriend’sproblem.’Arethereanyquestionsaboutcolumnsix?1375
“Nowwe’lllookatsomeexamplesofhowthisworksheetisused.MayIhaveavolunteerto1376readoneortwooftheexamplesfromtheFearsExamplesWorksheet?Pleasereadacross1377therowsowecanseehowtheworksheetwascompletedforeachone.”1378
[Volunteerreadsfromtheworksheet.]1379
LEADER1380
“BeforewemoveontopracticingwiththeFearsWorksheet,we’lltakefiveminutesto1381answeranyquestionsordiscussanythingwehavecoveredsofar:theFearsWorksheet,the1382FearsWorksheetGuidelines,ortheExamples.”1383
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1384
LEADER1385
“TakeoneoftheFearsWorksheetsandchooseoneofthefearsthatyouarewillingtotalk1386aboutintheworkshop.Inthenexttenminutes,completetheFearsWorksheetforthatone1387item.ReviewtheFearsWorksheet,FearsWorksheetGuidelines,andFearsWorksheet1388Examples,andlookupdefinitionsandsynonymsintheGlossaryasneeded.”1389
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1390
LEADER1391
“Pairupwithanotherpersonintheworkshopandforthenextfiveminutessharehowyou1392completedtheworksheet.” [Leadersetsthetimer.]1393
LEADER1394
“Nowthatwehavebrieflyusedtheworksheet,let’stakefiveminutestoanswerany1395questionsaboutthisworksheetortheFearsInventoryprocessingeneral.”1396
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1397
LEADER1398
“AftertheSeventhTraditionandabreak,wewillworkontheSexConductandHarms1399(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet.”1400
1401
1402
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofSexConductWorksheet(15minutes)1403
LEADER1404
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepFour.WehavereadintheBigBook34aboutthe1405importanceofbeingrigorouslyhonestifwewishtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.Sofar,1406wehavemadeaverygoodstartbylookingatourresentmentsandourstrengths,andwe1407havebeguntolookatourfears.1408
“Nowwewilllookatourpastsexconductandatwrongswe’vedonetoothers,whichcause1409ustocarrytheheavyburdensofguiltandremorse.Let’sbeginbyreadingfromourtexts1410anddiscussingwhatweread.PleaseopentheBigBooktopage68.MayIhaveavolunteer1411tobeginreading,beginningwith‘Nowaboutsex….’through‘…nortobedespisedand1412loathed’nearthebottomofpage69?”1413
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]1414
LEADER1415
1416
34Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
1417
“Howdoesexaminingourpastsexconducthelpustoworktowardasaneidealforthe1418future?1419
“Wehavefiveminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas1420manyofusaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”1421
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1422
LEADER1423
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage40.We’lltaketurnsreadingoneparagraph1424atatime,beginningwith‘Howaboutlust?...’through‘…riskofphysicalintimacy?’onpage142541.Whowouldliketobegin?”1426
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]1427
LEADER1428
“HowdothereadingshelpusbroadenourideasofwhatwecanincludeinourSexConduct1429Inventory?1430
“Wehavefiveminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas1431manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”1432
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1433
! InstructionsforCompletingtheSexConductWorksheet(10minutes)1434
LEADER1435
“HerearetheSexConductWorksheetGuidelines,theSexConductWorksheet,andtheSex1436ConductWorksheetExamples.”1437
[Leaderhandsoutthematerials.]1438
“Wewilltaketurnsreadingtheguidelines.Pleasereadafewsections.MayIhavea1439volunteertobegin?”1440
[Volunteerstaketurnsreading.]1441
LEADER1442
“Beforewecontinue,we’lltakefiveminutes,ifneeded,toansweranyquestionsordiscuss1443anythingwehavecoveredabouttheSexConductInventory—theSexConductWorksheet1444Guidelines,theexamples,ortheworksheetitself.”1445
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1446
! InstructionsforCompletingtheHarms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet(101447minutes)1448
LEADER1449
“Mostofuscanprobablyrecallincidentsfromthepastthatstillmakeuscringewith1450embarrassment,guilt,orremorse.Perhaps,withoutintendingto,wehavehurtothersand1451thendonenothingtocorrectthesituationortomakeamends.Perhapswethoughtwe1452couldturnourbacksontheseincidents,thattheywouldsomehowevaporateintothinair1453withoutourhavingtodoorsayanything.Butthesearetheveryproblemsthatcanfester1454withinus,makingusfeelbadaboutourselvesandleadingusbacktothefood.Thispartof1455ourinventorygivesusachancetofacetheseissues,tobringthemintothelightofour1456consciousness,andtoexamineourbehaviorwithouttryingtohide,deny,orignoreit.1457
“HerearetheHarms(GuiltandRemorse)materials—theguidelines,theworksheet,and1458theworksheetexamples.”1459
[Leaderhandsoutthematerials.]1460
LEADER1461
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadtheHarms(GuiltandRemorse)WorksheetGuidelines?”1462
[Volunteerreadstheguidelines.]1463
LEADER1464
“PleasetakethreeminutestolookattheHarmsWorksheetandtheHarmsWorksheet1465Examples.”1466
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1467
LEADER1468
“Beforewecontinue,we’lltakefiveminutestoansweranyquestionsordiscussanything1469wehavecoveredabouttheHarmsInventory—theHarms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet1470Guidelines,theexamples,ortheworksheetitself.”1471
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1472
1473
1474
1475
1476
1477
1478
1479
1480
LEADER1481
Beforeournextsession,completetheFears,SexConduct,andHarmsWorksheets.1482
1483
1484
! Abstinence35Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
! HomeworkAssignments
Remembertopray,talkwithasponsor,makeoutreachcalls,attendmeetings,andgenerallysupportyourprogramduringthisprocess.Ifperfectionismandprocrastinationareamongourcharacterdefects,wehumblyaskourHigherPowertoremovethem,andthen,ifnecessary,actasifthey’vebeenremoved.Keepmovingforward!”
FearsWorksheetGuidelines1485
ColumnOne1486
Listallourfears.1487
It’slikelythatwewillincludemanyofthesamepeoplefromourresentmentslistonthis1488fearslist.1489
Forexample,wemightbeangryatourspouse(resentful),butalsoafraid—afraidthatheor1490shemightleaveusbecauseofourweight.Somepeopleincludereligiousinstitutions,1491governmentagencies,ortaxcollectors.Anotherpersonmightfearhisorherboss.Other1492fearsmightbefearofdying,insanity,heights,publicspeaking,hospitals,feelings,getting1493old,violence,gangs,guns,change,failure,success,losingalovedone,sex,loneliness,1494creditors,men,women,poverty,otherraces,theunknown,abandonment,disapproval,1495confrontation,rejection,andsoon.1496
ColumnTwo1497
Describebrieflywhyweareafraid.Chooseafewwordstodescribewhatwefearwill1498happenorwon’thappen.1499
ColumnThree1500
Indicatewithacheckmarkoneormoreaspectsofselfthatarethreatened.1501
Ifwecheckmorethanone,circletheonethatisthedrivingforceinthisinstance.Circling1502one,oreventwo,doesnotmeantheothersarenotimportant.Wearelookingforgeneral1503patterns.1504
ColumnFour1505
Brieflydescribeourpart.1506
Intheexampleaboutfearoflosingahome,thepersonadmittedtobuyingahouseheorshe1507couldn’tafford.1508
ColumnFive1509
Whatcharactertrait/defecttriggeredouractionorreaction?1510
Inthedecisiontobuyanunaffordablehouse,theactionmighthavebeentriggeredbylow1511self-esteem(feelinglikewehavetoliveinabighousetobeworthwhile),orgreed/envy1512(alwayswantingmore),orunrealisticexpectationsaboutfutureprospects.Wemay1513identifymorethanonetrigger,butoneortwomaybemoreimportantasthedrivingforce1514inthissituation.Thislistofcharactertraits/defectswillbeusedinStepsSixandSeven.1515
ColumnSix1516
WhatwouldmyHigherPowerhavemebe?1517
Aspartoftheinventoryprocessonfear,theBigBook35hasasuggestion.Readthe1518paragraphonpage68beginning“Weneverapologizetoanyone….”Wedon’tneedtowait1519forStepsFivethroughSeventobegin.1520
Incolumnsix,afterfollowingthesuggestionsfromtheBigBook,writewhatwebelieveour1521HigherPowerwouldhaveusbe.1522
1523
35Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
FearsWorksheetExamples“Aswetakeinventorywealsolookatourfears.Formanyofus,fear,worry,andanxietyhaveplayedakeyroleinourlives,robbingusofjoyandkeepingusfromfulfillingourdreams”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.37).
1 2 3 4 5 6
WhoorwhatamI
afraidof? Why?Whataspectofselffeelsthreatened?
Whatismypartincreatingor
maintainingthissituation?
Whatcharacterdefect/traittriggersmy
action/reaction?WhatwouldmyHigherPowerhavemebe?
Ambition
Pride
Relationships
Security
Self-Esteem
Gainingweight
Wouldfeelandlookterrible,beembarrassed.
+ + + + Notworkingtheprogram.
Self-centeredness,dishonesty
Faithfulinmypracticeoftheprogramandlessconcernedwithmyappearance.
Men Wasraped. + None. NowIfeellikeavictim.
Reasonablyvigilant
Losingmyhouse
Can’tpaythemortgage.
+ + + + + IboughtahouseIcan’tafford.
Lowself-esteem AwaremyvaluedoesnotdependonwhatIown;moreprudentandrealisticinhandlingmyfinances.
Losingmyjob
Poorreviewwithdeadlinetoimprove.
+ + + + + Notgettingworkdone.Takingtoolong.
Procrastination,perfectionism,sloth
Diligentinmyworkwithoutlettingprocrastinationorperfectionisminterfere.
Husbandcan’tfindwork—hasbeenlooking.for18months
He’sdepressed.I’mworking50hours/week.
+ + + + + Notsure. Financialinsecurity
TrustingGodasmysourcewhiledoingwhatIcandoandcaringformyselfandmyhusband.
Losingmyboyfriend
Hefeelsdistant,oftenangry
+ + + Ifrequentlynagandcomplain.
Controlling,self-centered
Grateful,supportive,andcaringformyboyfriendinwordsandactions.Lesscontrolling.TrustingGod,ratherthanoneperson,asthesourceofmylove.
FearsWorksheet“Aswetakeinventorywealsolookatourfears.Formanyofus,fear,worry,andanxietyhaveplayedakeyroleinourlives,robbingusofjoyandkeepingusfromfulfillingourdreams”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.37).
1 2 3 4 5 6
WhoorwhatamIafraidof? Why?
Whataspectofselffeelsthreatened?
Whatismypartincreatingor
maintainingthissituation?
Whatcharactertrait/defecttriggers
myaction?WhatwouldHigherPower
havemebe?
Ambition
Pride
Relationships
Security
Self-Esteem
SexConductWorksheetGuidelines1528
OAisnotanarbiterofsexconduct.Standardsofbehaviorvarysignificantlyfromcountryto1529countryandculturetoculture.ApassageintheBigBook36describeshowhumanopinions1530canruntoextremes:“Oneschoolwouldallowmannoflavorforhisfareandtheother1531wouldhaveusallonastraightpepperdiet”(p.69).Weareaskedtoreviewoursex1532conduct,toseewherewehavebeenselfish,dishonest,orinconsiderateandtolistwhom1533wehaveharmed.Onpages40and41,theOATwelveandTwelveasksushowwehave1534misusedoursexualdrives.1535
ColumnOne1536Listeveryonewehavehurt.1537
Hurtisabroadavenue.Inadditiontotheobviousreasonforsex,sexhasbeenusedto,for1538example:1539
• Bolsterself-esteemthroughconquestorhavingadesirablemate.1540• Securematerialpossessions.1541• Punishsomeoneforherorhisinfidelities.1542• Demonstratepoweroversomeone.1543
Otherharmsmightinclude:1544
• Cheatingonoursignificantother,evenifwethinkheorshedoesn’tknow.1545• Withholdingsex.TheOATwelveandTwelve(p.41)mentionsthatcompulsive1546
overeatinghasleftmanyofusuninterestedinsex.Inthosecases,havewebeen1547inconsiderateofourpartners?Haveweusedwithholdingofsexaspunishment?1548
ColumnTwo1549Foreachpersononthelist,indicatewithacheckmarkifwewereselfish,dishonest,or1550inconsiderate.1551
Ifwecheckmorethanonecharacterdefect,circletheonethatwasthedrivingforceinthis1552instance.Circlingone,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmeantheothersarenot1553important.Wearelookingforgeneralpatterns.1554
ColumnThree1555Foreachpersononthelist,indicatewithacheckmarkifwearousedjealousy,suspicion,or1556bitterness.1557
Ifwecheckmorethanoneofthesefeelings,circletheonethatpredominatesinthis1558instance.Circlingone,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmeantheothersarenot1559important.Wearelookingforgeneralpatterns.1560
36Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
ColumnFour1561Wasanyoneelsehurtbyouractions?Ifso,listthem.1562
Thisconductmayhavehurtourspousesorthechildrenofeitherpartyduetotheirneglect1563orthecreationofbadfeelingsinthehomebetweentheparents.1564
ColumnFive1565Whatmighthavetriggeredouraction?1566
Lookatwhatmighthavetriggeredouractionandindicatewithacheckmarkoneormore1567oftheoptionsprovided.Ifmorethanoneischecked,wemaywanttocircletheonethat1568wasthedrivingforceinthisinstance.Circlingone,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmean1569theothersarenotimportant.Wearelookingforgeneralpatterns.Ifthetriggerisnotlisted,1570writeitinthe“other”column.1571
ColumnSix1572Describebrieflyhowwewereatfault,capturingtheessenceofthesituationinjustafew1573words.1574
ColumnSeven1575Describebrieflyhowwewillhandlesimilarsituationsinthefuture.1576
TheBigBook37hasasuggestionabouthowwemightwanttoconductourselvesinour1577futurerelationships.Onpage69,rereadtheparagraphbeginning“Inthiswaywetriedto1578shapeasaneandsoundideal….”WeprayandaskforGod’sorHP’sguidance.1579
1580
37Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
SexConductWorksheetExamples“Someofouractionswillbepainfulforustorecall,butwewritethemdownanyway.Whenwefacetheguiltthattruthfullytellsus,‘Youmadeamistake,’we’refreedofshamethatfalselytellsus‘youareamistake’”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.43).
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
WhodidIhurt? WasI:
DidIunjustifiablyarouse:
Whoelsewashurt,ifanyone?
Whatcharacterdefect/traittriggeredmyaction?
HowwasIatfault?
Inthefuture…
Selfish?
Dishonest?
Inconsiderate?
Jealousy?
Suspicion?
Bitterness?
Dishonesty
Expectations
Greed/Envy/
Jealousy
Fear
LowSelf-
Esteem
Self-centered
Other
Glenn + + + + + Glenn’s friend + + People pleasing
I flirted with his friend.
Be friendly and give attention, but don’t flirt.
John + + + + Me + + + + + Financial insecurity; I used him.
Dated him so he would pay my bills.
Only date men I really like. Don’t use anyone. Pay my own way.
My wife + + + + + + Jane, the kids, and I
+ + + + Arrogance Cheated on my wife.
Don’t do it again.
SexConductWorksheet“Someofouractionswillbepainfulforustorecall,butwewritethemdownanyway.Whenwefacetheguiltthattruthfullytellsus,‘Youmadeamistake,’we’refreedofshamethatfalselytellsus‘youareamistake’”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.43).
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
WhodidIhurt? WasI:
DidIunjustifiablyarouse:
Whoelsewashurt,ifanyone?
Whatcharacterdefect/traittriggeredmyaction?
HowwasIatfault?
Inthefuture…
Selfish?
Dishonest?
Inconsiderate?
Jealousy?
Suspicion?
Bitterness?
Dishonesty
Expectations
Greed/Envy/
Jealousy
Fear
LowSelf-
Esteem
Self-centered
Other
Harms(GuiltandRemorse)WorksheetGuidelines1584
ColumnOne1585
Listeachinstanceofremorseorguiltwehavebeencarrying,oftenforyears.1586
Rememberthisisalistofpeoplewehaveactuallyharmedinsomeway,notalistofpeople1587wedon’tlike.WereviewourResentments,Fears,andSexConductWorksheetstofind1588namesweneedtolisthere.WemayalsowanttobrieflyreviewthequestionsintheOA1589TwelveandTwelvetohelpourmemory(pp.34-43).1590
ColumnTwo1591
Describebrieflywhatwedidorfailedtodo.Chooseafewwordstocapturetheessenceof1592thesituationandmoveon.1593
ColumnThree1594
Indicatewithacheckmarkoneormoreaspectsofselfweweretryingtoprotectorbenefit.1595
Ifwecheckmorethanone,circletheonethatwasthedrivingforceinthissituation.1596Circlingone,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmeantheothersarenotimportant.Weare1597lookingforgeneralpatterns.1598
ColumnFour1599
Indicatewithacheckmarkoneormorecharacterdefectsorthoughtsthattriggeredour1600reactionstoeachsituation.1601
Ifwecheckmorethanone,circletheonethatwasthedrivingforceinthissituation.1602Circlingone,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmeantheothersarenotimportant.Weare1603lookingforgeneralpatterns.Usethe“other”columntowriteinanothertraitthatismore1604appropriate.1605
Afterdiscussingitwithoursponsor,usetheHarms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheetnot1606onlyforStepsFourandFivebutalsoforStepsSixthroughNineasweaskourHigher1607Powertoremoveourcharacterdefectsandtoprepareustomakeamends.Wemightalso1608wanttodiscusswithoursponsorwhatwecouldhavedonedifferently.1609
1610
1611
1612
Harms(GuiltandRemorse)WorksheetExamples“We’veliedtoourselvesaboutourotherproblems,too,denyingthatwe’vemademistakes,thatwe’vebeenwrongaboutthings,thatweneedtochange.Wemustchangeifwearetorecover”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.30).
1 2 3 4
WhoorwhatdidIharm?WhatdidIdoorfailtodo?
WhataspectofselfdidIseektoprotect
orbenefit?Whatcharacterdefect/trait
triggeredmyaction?
Ambition
Pride
Relationships
Security
Self-Esteem
Dishonesty
Expectations
Greed/Envy
Fear
LowSelf-
Esteem
Self-
Centeredness
Other
Agirlatschool Iflushedherclothesdownthetoiletduringgym.
+ + + +
+ Meanandinconsiderate
Sylvia SheloanedmeabookandIdidn’treturnit.
+ + + Ilovedthebookandcouldn’tfindanother;procrastination.
Johnny Istartedafightwithhimbecausehewastheteacher’sfavorite.
+ + + + Laziness
Mychurchcommunity Haven’tdonemyfairshareofvolunteering.
+ + + + + Felttooimportanttodothelittlestuff.
Myhusband Spenttoomuchmoney. + + + + + + + + Alwayswantmore.
Harms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet“We’veliedtoourselvesaboutourotherproblems,too,denyingthatwe’vemademistakes,thatwe’vebeenwrongaboutthings,thatweneedtochange.Wemustchangeifwearetorecover”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.30).
1 2 3 4
WhoorwhatdidIharm?WhatdidIdoorfailtodo?
WhataspectofselfdidIseektoprotect
orbenefit?Whatcharacterdefect/trait
triggeredmyaction?
Ambition
Pride
Relationships
Security
Self-Esteem
Dishonesty
Expectations
Greed/Envy
Fear
LowSelf-
Esteem
Self-
Centeredness
Other
1617
1618
! Closing(2minutes)
LEADER
“Toclosethissession,wouldthosewhowish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideandjoinmeinthesuggestedclosingplustheOAPromise.”
[Leaderandparticipantssay__________.]
LEADERREADS
“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.Nolongeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponourownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpowerandstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveandunderstandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”
StepFour:SessionTwoofThreeHomework1619
1620
1621
! Action1622
• Callasponsororpartnerinrecoveryifstuckordon’tknowhowtousethe1623worksheets.1624
• CompletetheFearsWorksheet.1625
• CompletetheSexConductWorksheet.1626
• CompletetheHarms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet.1627
1628
1629
1630
1631
1632
1633
1634
1635
1636
1637
1638
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
StepFour:SessionThreeofThree1639
Madeasearchingandfearlessmoralinventoryofourselves.1640
1641
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
1642
1643! Summary(5minutes)1644
LEADER1645
“TosummarizeourworkthusfaronStepFour,I’llreadthesecondparagraphofStepFour1646fromtheOATwelveandTwelve”(p.29).1647
LEADERREADS1648
“Thoseofuswhohavecompletedstepfourhavefoundthattakingthis1649searchingandfearlessmoralinventorywasoneofthemostlovingthingswe1650everdidforourselves.Aswetookanhonestlookatthepast,atwhowe’d1651beenandwhatwe’ddone,webegantounderstandourselvesbetter.That1652understandingwasthebeginningofemotionalhealing.Manyofushadlived1653ourlivesuptothispointwithasecretfeelingofshame.Wecarrieddeepin1654ourheartsthefeelingthatwewereworthlessorinsignificant.Oftenthis1655shamestemmedfromunresolvedguiltovermistakeswe’dneverfullydealt1656with.Wehadneverfacedourwrongshonestlyandacknowledgedthem,so1657wewereleftfeelingashamed.Writingourstep-fourinventoryenabledusto1658begincleaningupthemessesofthepastsowecouldstartlifeover,afresh.”1659
LEADER1660
“Weaskourselves:‘AmIbeginningtohaveasenseofthefreedompossiblewhenthis1661processiscomplete?’Ifnot,pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery1662afterthissession.”1663
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofOtherProblemAreas(20minutes)1664
LEADER1665
“Inthis,thelastofthreesessionsplannedforStepFour,wewilllookatotherproblem1666areasinourlivesthathavecausedustofeelshame,guilt,ordiscomfort.We’llalsoexamine1667oldbeliefsaboutourselvesthatwe’vecarriedwithusforfartoolong.PleaseopentheOA1668TwelveandTwelvetopage43.We’lltaketurnsreadingoneparagraphatatime.MayIhave1669
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
avolunteertostartreading,beginningwith‘Afterwritingourinventory,…’andcontinuing1670totheendofthechapter(p.44)?”1671
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]1672
LEADER1673
“Let’sdiscusshowtobalancethedesireforthoroughness,whichcanbeanothernamefor1674perfectionism,versustheadvantageoffinishingourinventoryinthetimewehave.Itmay1675helptorememberthatinthisworkshop,inadditiontoworkingonourinventory,weare1676learningtheprocessofself-examination.NodoubtwewillrepeattheFourthStepinthe1677future.Completingitnowwillhelpusrecallhowtodothat.Inaddition,wewillapplythis1678processintheStepTenSessionwhenwelearnhowtotakeaSpot-checkInventory.1679
“Wehavetenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas1680manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”1681
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1682
LEADER1683
“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage48.MayIhaveavolunteertostartreading,1684beginningwith‘Nowlet’spondertheneed….’through‘ThesearethefirstfruitsofStep1685Four’atthetopofpage50?”1686
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]1687
LEADER1688
“Let’sdiscusshowwethinkdoingaFourthStepInventorywillhelpuschangeforthe1689better.1690
“Wehavefiveminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas1691manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”1692
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1693
! InstructionsforCompletingtheOtherProblemAreasWorksheet(20minutes)1694
LEADER1695
“HerearetheOtherProblemAreasWorksheetsandExamples,aswellastheguidelinesfor1696thistopic.TherearetwocopiesoftheOtherProblemAreasWorksheet.Wewilluseoneas1697practiceshortly.”1698
[Leadersetsthetimerforfiveminutestohandout1699materialsandreviewtheguidelinesand1700worksheets.]1701
LEADER1702
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadtheOtherProblemAreasWorksheetGuidelines?”1703
[Volunteerreadsfromtheworksheet.]1704
LEADER1705
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadtheintroductoryquoteandheadingsontheOtherProblem1706AreasWorksheet?”1707
[Volunteerreadsfromtheworksheet.]1708
LEADER1709
“NowmayIhaveavolunteertoreadsomeoftheentriesontheOtherProblemAreas1710WorksheetExamples?Pleasechoosetheonesthatappealtoyouthemost.”1711
[Volunteerreadsfromtheworksheet.]1712
LEADER1713
“Arethereanyquestionsordiscussionaboutthisworksheet?1714
“Pleasetakefiveminutestowriteaboutoneormoreproblemareasthatarecausing1715discomfort.”1716
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1717
LEADER1718
“Pairupwithanotherpersonintheworkshop,andforthenextfiveminutes,taketurns1719sharingabouthowyoucompletedtheOtherProblemAreasWorksheet.”1720
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1721
LEADER1722
“Nowthatwe’vestartedtousethisworksheet,let’stakefiveminutesforquestionsorto1723discusstheprocessingeneral.”1724
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1725
LEADER1726
“AftertheSeventhTraditionandabreak,wewillworkontheOldBeliefsWorksheets.”1727
1728
1729
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofOldBeliefs,Patterns,andLabels(15minutes)1730
LEADER1731
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepFour.Overtheyears,wehaveaccumulatedmany1732negativeideasaboutourselves.Theseideasmaybeintheformofbeliefsthatwehave1733aboutourselvesornameswemaycallourselves,suchasstupid,lazy,slob,orliar.Ifweare1734torecover,wemustnotshyawayfromexaminingtheaccuracyofthesebeliefsornames,1735whichmayhavebeenwithussinceearlychildhood.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadJune101736fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage162?”1737
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]1738
LEADER1739
“Howcanwemovefromfeelingsofshameaboutourselvestoalifeofabstinenceand1740recovery?1741
“Wehavefiveminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas1742manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”1743
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1744
LEADER1745
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
“PleaseopenForTodaytoSeptember21onpage265.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthis1746page?”1747
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]1748
LEADER1749
“Whatcanwehopetoachievebyshiningalightonouroldbeliefs?1750
“Wehavefiveminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas1751manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”1752
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1753
! InstructionsforCompletingtheOldBeliefsWorksheet(25minutes)1754
LEADER1755
“HerearetheOldBeliefsWorksheetsandExamplesforworkingwitholdbeliefs,patterns,1756andlabelsaswellastheguidelinesforthistopic.TherearetwocopiesoftheOldBeliefs1757Worksheet.Wewilluseoneaspractice.”1758
[Leadersetsthetimerforfiveminutestohandout1759materialsandreviewtheguidelinesand1760worksheets.]1761
LEADER1762
“MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreadingtheOldBeliefsWorksheetGuidelines?Pleasetake1763turnsreadingoneparagraphatatime.”1764
[Volunteersreadfromtheguidelines.]1765
1766LEADER1767
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadtheintroductoryquoteandtheheadingsontheOldBeliefs1768Worksheet?”1769
[Volunteerreadsfromtheworksheet.]1770
LEADER1771
“NowmayIhaveavolunteertoreadtwoorthreeexamplesfromtheOldBeliefsWorksheet1772Examples?”1773
[Volunteerreadsfromtheworksheet.]1774
LEADER1775
“Arethereanyquestionsordiscussionaboutthisworksheet?1776
“Pleasetakefiveminutestowriteabouttwoormoreoldbeliefs,patterns,orlabelsthatyou1777havecarriedwithyou.”1778
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1779
LEADER1780
“Pairupwithanotherpersonintheworkshop,andforthenextfiveminutes,taketurns1781sharingwhatyou’vewrittenduringthisexercise.”1782
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1783
LEADER1784
“Nowthatwehavebeguntofilloutthisworksheet,let’stakefiveminutesforquestionsor1785todiscusstheprocessingeneral.”1786
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1787
178838 1789
1790
38TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Abstinence39Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
! HomeworkAssignments
“Beforeournextsession,pleasecompletetheOtherProblemAreasandOldBeliefs1791Worksheets.Makeextracopiesoftheworksheetsasneeded.Oneofouroldlabelsmightbe1792‘Ineverfinishanything!’Ifso,begintoaffirmsomethinglike‘IfinishwhateverIstartina1793timelyway.’Inaddition,wehumblyaskourHigherPowertoremovethischaracterdefect1794(oldlabel),andthenactasifithasbeenremoved:Stayinactionandcompleteour1795inventory.” 1796 1797
1798 1799 1800 1801
1802
Remembertopray,talkwithasponsor,makeoutreachcalls,attendmeetings,andgenerallysupportyourprogramduringthisprocess.Ifperfectionismandprocrastinationareamongourcharacterdefects,wehumblyaskourHigherPowertoremovethem,andthen,ifnecessary,actasifthey’vebeenremoved.Keepmovingforward!”
OtherProblemAreasWorksheetGuidelines1803
Experiencehasshownthatsomeofushaveotherbehaviors,suchasoverspending,people-1804pleasing,beinglate,orcollectingclutter,thatcauseproblemsinourlivesandhavenotbeen1805includedintheotherpartsofourinventory.Thisworksheetprovidesuswiththe1806opportunitytofurtherunburdenourselves.1807
ColumnOne1808
Listanyotherbehaviorsthatcreateproblemsinourlife.1809
ColumnTwo1810
Indicatewithacheckmarkoneormoreaspectsofselfwewereseekingtoprotector1811benefitbythisbehavior.1812
Ifwecheckmorethanone,circletheonethatisthedrivingforceforthisbehavior.Circling1813one,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmeantheothersarenotimportant.Wearelooking1814forgeneralpatterns.1815
ColumnThree1816
Indicatewithacheckmarkoneormorecharacterdefectsorthoughtsthattriggeredour1817actions.1818
Ifwecheckmorethanone,circletheonethatisthedrivingforceforthisbehavior.Circling1819one,oreventwoonoccasion,doesnotmeantheothersarenotimportant.Wearelooking1820forgeneralpatterns.Listothertraitsthataremoreappropriateinthe“other”column.1821
ColumnFour1822
Brieflydescribewhatalternativebehaviorwouldbemoreconstructive.1823
1824
OtherProblemAreasWorksheetExamples“Ourpastproblemshavebeencontrollingouractionsandfeelingsforyears,ofteninwaysofwhichwearenotaware.Aswefacetheproblems,theylosetheirpowertooverwhelmandcontrolus.Thechainsofself-obsessiondropfromusonebyone,andweareabletoknowanddoourHigherPower’swillmoreeasily,withouttheneedtoprotectourselvesfromuncomfortablefeelingsbyeatingcompulsively”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.30)
1 2 3 4
Thesebehaviorscreateproblemsinmylife:
WhataspectofselfamIseekingto
protectorbenefit?Whatcharacterdefect/trait
triggersmyaction?Whatbehaviorwouldbemoreconstructive?
Ambition
Pride
Relationships
Security
Self-Esteem
Dishonesty
Expectations
Greed/Envy
Fear
LowSelf-
Esteem
Self-
Centeredness
Other
Itrytoimpressotherpeople.
+ + + + + + + + + + Beingmyself
Igossipaboutothers,creatingbadfeelings.
+ + + + + +
Lookforthegoodinothersandnotgossip.
OneormoreareasinmyhomearesoclutteredIamembarrassedtohavepeoplevisit.
+ + + + + Sloth,lackofdiscipline,poortimemanagement
Plantimetocleanupanddoitregularly.
Idonotspeakupformyself. + + + + + + + Expressmyfeelings.MeanwhatIsayandusekindlanguage.
IamsobusytakingcareofotherpeoplethatIdonottakecareofmyself.
+ + + + + + Focusonmyownrecovery.
OtherProblemAreasWorksheet“Ourpastproblemshavebeencontrollingouractionsandfeelingsforyears,ofteninwaysofwhichwearenotaware.Aswefacetheproblems,theylosetheirpowertooverwhelmandcontrolus.Thechainsofself-obsessiondropfromusonebyone,andweareabletoknowanddoourHigherPower’swillmoreeasily,withouttheneedtoprotectourselvesfromuncomfortablefeelingsbyeatingcompulsively”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.30)
1 2 3 4
Thesebehaviorscreateproblemsinmylife:
WhataspectofselfamIseekingto
protectorbenefit?Whatcharacterdefect/trait
triggersmyaction?
Whatbehaviorwouldbemoreconstructive?
Ambition
Pride
Relationships
Security
Self-Esteem
Dishonesty
Expectations
Greed/Envy
Fear
LowSelf-
Esteem
Self-
Centeredness
Other
OldBeliefsWorksheetGuidelines1830
“Workingthisprogramhelpsme…tocutawayoldbeliefssothatnewtruthsmaybe1831revealedandalightandusefulspiritmaygrowstrong”(ForToday,p.265).1832
Whenwereactwithanger,fear,orjealousytoaparticularevent,ourreactionisbasedon1833ourbeliefabouttheeventandhowtheworldworks.Forexample,ifmybosscriticizesmeI1834mayfeellikeacompletefailure,likemyjobisinjeopardy,orstupidfornotknowinghowto1835dothejobasexpected.Or,Imaylistencalmly,listeningforhowIcandomyjobbetter,1836pointingoutgoodreasonsformychoices,feelingconfidentthatmybosslikesmeandinmy1837generalcapability.1838
ThedifferentreactionsstemfromwhatIbelieveaboutmyselfbeforetheeventhappened.If1839myoldbeliefisthatIamnotsmartenoughorthatmybossdoesn’tlikefatpeopleand1840doesn’tgivemeenoughcreditorthatIamnotworthytohavethisjobtobeginwith,Imay1841overreactandfeeldevastatedasdescribed.Or,ifIgenerallylikemyselfandamconfidentin1842myabilities,Icanhandlethecriticism,learningfromitordiscountingitbasedonitsmerit1843andnottakingitasapersonalattack.1844
Reviewtheexamplesprovidedandthenrevisittheotherworksheetslookingforpatterns.1845Weaskourselves:1846
• HaveIfrequentlyfeltlikeavictim?1847• DoIoftenfeelworthless?1848• DoIfeelashamedwithoutaspecificreason?1849• DoIthinkIamabadparent?Orbadfriend?1850• DoIfeelsafeintheworldgenerally?1851• DoIfrequentlyhavetroublewithauthorityfigures?1852
1853
Reviewtheitemswherepeopledidnotmeetourexpectations.1854
• DoIexpectspecialtreatment?1855• DoIbelievepeopleshoulddowhatIsuggest,liketheactorwhowantstorunthe1856
wholeshowasdescribedintheBigBook39onpages60and61?18571858Whatelse?Lookforthebeliefsthatsupportordrivethosepatterns.Labels,orhowwetalk1859aboutourselves,oftencaptureourbeliefs.Forexample,dowefrequentlyhearourselves1860sayingoneormoreofthefollowing?18611862
• “Ineverremembernames.”1863• “Iamnotagoodmother.”1864• “Idon’tdeserve.…”1865
39Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
• “I’mshyandhaveahardtimemakingfriends.”1866• “Ican’tloseweight.”1867• “Ialwaysgetlost.”1868• “Ialwaysmessup.”1869
1870
Therearemanypossibilities.1871
Ourbeliefsprovidethecriteriabywhichwejudgeevents.It’sasifwearewearingglasses1872andseetheworldthroughthoselenses.Thelensesmaybe“lackofself-worth”insomeor1873allareas,“prejudicetowardoneormoregroups,”or“fearaboutourexperienceinthe1874world,”tonamejustafew.Lookingatourunderlyingbeliefsisanimportantaspectofour1875housecleaning.1876
FollowingaretheguidelinesforcompletingtheOldBeliefsWorksheet.1877
ColumnOne1878
Listalloldbeliefs,patterns,orlabelswehaveaboutourselves.1879
ColumnTwo1880
Brieflydescribewhathappensbasedonthatbelief,pattern,orlabel.1881
ColumnThree1882
Writeanaffirmationaboutanewbelief,pattern,orlabel,toreplacethelimitingone,based1883onournewunderstanding.Onpage354inForToday,December19providesanexample:1884
“Believethatyoucanbeabstinent.Youwillbe.Believethatyoucanhave1885sanity,peaceofmindandfreedomtolivethelifeyouwant.Youwillhave1886them.Believethatyouwillrecover.Youwill.1887
Fortoday:IaffirmthatIhavewithinmeallIneedtoliveanabstinent,sober1888life;andIbelievethatlifeisverymuchworthliving.”1889
InalaterStep,weaskGodorHPtoremovetheoldbeliefs,patterns,andlabelsjustlikewe1890willourothercharacterdefects.Theaffirmationherebeginsthefootwork.1891
1892
1893
1894
OldBeliefsWorksheetExamples“WorkingthisprogramhelpsmedistinguishwhatInolongerneedfromwhatisimportant,tocutawayoldbeliefssothatnewtruthsmayberevealedandalightandusefulspiritmaygrowstrong”(ForToday,p.265).
1 2 3
Oldbeliefaboutmyself: Whathappensbecauseofit: Newtruth:Iamnotworthy. Idon’tdefendmyselfwhenI’mtreated
poorly.Idon’ttakecareofmyself,likebuyingniceclothesorgoodfood.Orsometimes,Igototheotherextreme,buyingwhatIcan’taffordtoshowIamworthy.
Ilikemyselfunconditionally,justbecauseIexist.“Feelinggoodaboutmyselfisthemostbasicrequirementofhappiness.Itislikingmyselfunconditionally,feelingworthwhilejustbecauseIexist.Myworthisdeterminedbymeandhasnothingtodowithpublicacclaim,thenumberofpeopleIknoworthesizeanddecibelofthepartiesIattend”(ForToday,p.36).
IfIexpressmyfeelings,peoplewon’tlikeme.Safertogoalongwithwhattheywant.
WhenaskedwhatrestaurantormovieIprefer,IdefertowhateveryoneelsewantswithoutsayingwhatIwantandoftendowhatIdon’treallyenjoy.Or,Idon’tsayIdon’tlikethegossiporracistjokesthatarebeingtold.
IsaywhatImeanandmeanwhatIsay,withoutbeingmean.“Beinghonestandopenwithfriendsandfamilyisasignofgrowth”(ForToday,p.116).
Theworldisnotasafeplace.
Idon’tgooutatnightorvisitnewplacesbymyselfandmissmanyinterestingexperiences.Irestrictmyownlife.
Iwilltakeprecautionsandopenmyselftonewexperiences.“Ihavethestrengthtowalkthroughmyfears,totakeachanceonanewwayoflife”(ForToday,p.99).
Women/mencan’tbetrusted.
IoverreacttocommentsbecauseIassumethatpeoplewillhurtme.Ihavefewclosefriends.
Mostpeoplearetrustworthy.
Iamnotsmart. EventhoughIhaveamaster’sdegree,Idonotfeelsmartand,therefore,cantakeoffenseatwhatpeoplesayornotapplyforjobsbecauseIthinkI’mnotsmartenough.
Iamasmartperson—notassmartassome,butsmarterthanothers.Iamenough.
Idon’tdoenough. I’llnevergeteverythingdonethatIhavetodo.I’malwaysinarushandIfeelexasperated.
Idoenough.
Ineverhaveenough. Icannevereatenoughtosatisfymyself.
IoverspendonclothesbecauseIneverhaveenoughclothestosatisfyme.IwanttocontroleverythingsothatIgetmoreofeverything.Ihoardstuff.
Ihaveenoughfood,clothes,andeverythingbecausemyHigherPowersatisfiesmyneeds.
OldBeliefsWorksheet“WorkingthisprogramhelpsmedistinguishwhatInolongerneedfromwhatisimportant,tocutawayoldbeliefssothatnewtruthsmayberevealedandalightandusefulspiritmaygrowstrong”(ForToday,p.265).
1 2 3
Oldbeliefaboutmyself: Whathappensbecauseofit: Newtruth:
StepFour:SessionThreeofThreeHomeworkandReadingfor1898
NextSession1899
1900
! Action1901
• Callasponsororpartnerinrecoveryifstuckordon'tknowhowtousethe1902worksheets.1903
• CompletetheOtherProblemAreasWorksheet.1904
• CompletetheOldBeliefsWorksheet.1905
! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepFiveSession401906
• OATwelveandTwelve,StepFive(pp.45-52)1907
• AATwelveandTwelve,StepFive(pp.55-62)1908
• BigBook41,“IntoAction”(pp.72-75)1909
1910
1911
40OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
41Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
1912
! Closing(2minutes)
LEADER
“Toclosethissession,wouldthosewhowish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideandjoinmeinthesuggestedclosingplustheOAPromise.”
[Leaderandparticipantssay__________.]
LEADERREADS
“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.Nolongeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponourownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpowerandstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveandunderstandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”
StepFiveSession1913
AdmittedtoGod,toourselvesandtoanotherhumanbeingtheexactnatureofour1914wrongs.1915
1916
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
1917
1918! Summary1919
LEADER1920
“TosummarizeourworkonStepFour,I’llreadthelastparagraphofStepFourfromtheOA1921TwelveandTwelve”(p.44).1922
LEADERREADS1923
“Eachofuswhocompletesafourth-stepinventoryinOAfindsit1924essentialtoourrecoveryandamajorfactorinchangingourlives.As1925wereachtheendofstepfour,wediscoverthatapromisemadein1926OvereatersAnonymous’s‘OurInvitationtoYou’43hasbeguntobe1927fulfilled.Weare‘movingbeyondthefoodandtheemotionalhavocto1928afullerlivingexperience.’”1929
LEADER1930
“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepFour?HaveImadeasearchingandfearless1931moralinventoryofmyself?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery1932afterthissession.”1933
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepFive(upto45minutes)1934
LEADER1935
“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepFive:‘AdmittedtoGod,toourselvesandtoanother1936humanbeingtheexactnatureofourwrongs.’1937
“We’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.1938
43 Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition (p. 1)
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
“PleaseopentheBigBook44topage72.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,beginningwith1939‘Havingmadeourpersonalinventory,…’through‘…untiltheytoldsomeoneelsealltheir1940lifestory’onpage73?”1941
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]1942
LEADER1943
“InwhatwaysisStepFiveimportantandhowwillitbenefitus?1944
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas1945manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”1946
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1947
LEADER1948
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage48.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,1949beginningwith‘Itisimportantthatwechoose….’through‘…inawaywehavenotbeen1950sincechildhood’onpage50?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”1951
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]1952
LEADER1953
“WhatthoughtsdoyouhaveonwhotochooseandontheactualprocessofdoingtheFifth1954Step?1955
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas1956manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”1957
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1958
LEADER1959
“TheBigBookprovidesanaptpassagedescribingwhattodoafterwegiveawayourFifth1960Step.PleaseopentheBigBooktopage75andfollowalongasIread,beginningwith1961‘Returninghomewefindaplace….’through‘WethenlookatStepSix’atthetopofpage76.”1962
[Leaderreadsthepassage.]1963
LEADER1964
“WemayalsowanttoreviewtheOATwelveandTwelveonthistopic(pp.51-52).Afterthe1965break,we’llreadfromVoicesofRecovery,whichreferstothispassage.”1966
44 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
1967
1968! ReadingandWritingonStepFivefromForTodayandVoicesofRecovery(251969
minutes)1970
LEADER1971
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepFive.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdaily1972readersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutestowrite1973onthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.1974
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadMarch20fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage80?”1975
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]1976
LEADER1977
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadJune19fromForTodayonpage171?”1978
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]1979
LEADER1980
“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatthepassagesmeantoyou.”1981
[Leadersetsthetimer.]1982
1983
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
LEADER1984
“Pleasetakefiveminuteseachtoshareyourwritingwithanotherperson.”1985
[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]1986
4519871988
45 TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Abstinence45Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
! HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)
LEADER
“Herearethehomeworkassignmentsforthenextsession.”
[Leaderhandsouthomeworkworksheets.]
LEADER
“Let’sbrieflyreviewthehomeworkassignments.Werecommenddailywork,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharethehomeworkwithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.Thereadinghomeworkwillprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Wewillnotdiscusswritingoractionassignmentsduringoursessions.”
StepFiveSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession1989
1990
! Action1991
• MakeanappointmentwithasponsororanotherpersontohearourFifthStep.1992
• MeetwiththatpersonandcompleteStepFive.1993
! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepSixSession461994
• OATwelveandTwelve,StepSix(pp.53-58)1995
• AATwelveandTwelve,StepSix(pp.63-69)1996
• BigBook47,chapter6,“IntoAction,”beginningwith“Returninghome…”through“1997…usbewilling”(pp.75-76)1998
1999
46 OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
47 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
StepSixSession2000
WereentirelyreadytohaveGodremoveallthesedefectsofcharacter.2001
2002
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.
2003
2004! Summary2005LEADER2006
“TosummarizeourworkonStepFive,I’llreadanexcerptofthelasttwoparagraphsofStep2007FivefromtheOATwelveandTwelve”(pp.51-52).2008
LEADERREADS2009
“Aswecompletestepfive,wemayfeelmanyemotions,amongthem2010humility,elation,andrelief.Weoftenfeelnearer…toourHigherPowerand2011morelovingandtrustingofotherpeople….2012
Intheprocessofsharingourinventorywehavebecomemorehonestwith2013ourselvesandothersthanwehaveeverbeenbefore.Honestyisakeyfactor2014inourrecoveryfromcompulsiveeating,andsowewillwanttodevelopthis2015trait.Thebestwaytodosoistocontinueworkingthetwelvesteps….From2016thispointon,webegintoleavebehindthecharacterdefectswhichhave2017causedussomanyproblemsinthepast.”2018
LEADER2019
“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepFive?HaveIadmittedtheexactnatureofmy2020wrongstomyselfandmyHigherPowerandadmittedanddiscussedthemwithanother2021humanbeing?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryafterweclose2022thissession.”2023
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepSix(upto45minutes)2024
LEADER2025
“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepSix:‘WereentirelyreadytohaveGodremoveall2026thesedefectsofcharacter.’2027
“We’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.2028
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage53.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthefirst2029threeparagraphsoftheStep,beginningwith‘Atfirstglance…’through‘…thedefects2030themselves’?”2031
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2032
LEADER2033
“Whatisthedifferencebetweensayingwe’reentirelyreadyandbeingentirelyready?2034
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas2035manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2036
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2037
LEADER2038
“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage66.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,2039beginningwith‘Whatwemustrecognize….’through‘…excessivemisery’atthebottomof2040page67?Pleasetaketurnsreadingaparagrapheach.”2041
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]2042
LEADER2043
“Ourcharacterdefectsdosomethingforus,whichiswhywehangontothem.Whatare2044somecharacterdefectsthatwe’dratherkeep?2045
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas2046manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2047
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2048
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
! ReadingandWritingonStepSixfromForTodayandVoicesofRecovery(252049minutes)2050
LEADER2051
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepSix.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdaily2052readersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutestowrite2053onthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.2054
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadNovember3fromForTodayonpage308?”2055
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2056
LEADER2057
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadAugust3fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage216?”2058
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2059
LEADER2060
“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatthepassagesmeantoyou.”2061
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2062
LEADER2063
“Pleasetakefiveminuteseachtoshareyourwritingwithanotherperson.”2064
[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]206548 2066
206748 TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Abstinence48Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
2068
2069
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
! HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)
LEADER
“Herearethehomeworkassignmentsforthenextsession.”
[Leaderhandsouthomeworkworksheets.]
LEADER
“Let’sbrieflyreviewthehomeworkassignments.Werecommenddailywork,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharethehomeworkwithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.Thereadinghomeworkwillprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Wewillnotdiscusswritingoractionassignmentsduringoursessions.”
StepSixSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession2070
! Writing2071
• ReviewOATwelveandTwelve,StepSix,beginningwith“Evenwhenwedo…”2072through“Wecan’tdoitalone”(p.55).2073
• HowhaveIbeenunsuccessfulatremovingmycharacterdefects?2074
• ReviewAATwelveandTwelve,StepSix,beginningwith“SoStepSix…”through2075“Wheredowestand?”(pp.65-66).2076
• HowdoIknowthatIamnowentirelyreadytohaveGodorHPremoveallofmy2077defectsofcharacter?2078
! Action2079
• Reviewallthecharacterdefects/traitsIidentifiedinStepsFourandFive.2080
• MakealistoftheminpreparationforStepSeven.Ourcharacterdefectsdo2081somethingforus,whichiswhywehangontothem.Arethereanycharacterdefects2082I’dstillliketokeep?Ifso,prayforclarityabouthoweachaffectsmylife.Thenpray2083forthewillingnesstobeentirelyreadytohavethemallremoved.2084
• Reviewthelistandaskifitiscompletetothebestofmyknowledgeatthistime.If2085not,addwhateverneedstobeadded.2086
! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepSevenSession492087
• OATwelveandTwelve,StepSeven(pp.59-66)2088
• AATwelveandTwelve,StepSeven(pp.70-76)2089
• BigBook50,chapter6,“IntoAction,”beginningwith“Ifwecananswer…”through“2090…completedStepSeven”(p.76)2091
49 OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
50 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
Spendasmuchtimeasyouneedonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.Thereadingassignmentswillprepareyoutoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleaseshareyourhomeworkbetweensessionswithyoursponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
StepSevenSession2092
HumblyaskedHimtoremoveourshortcomings.2093
2094
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
2095
! Summary2096
LEADER2097
“TosummarizeourworkonStepSix,I’llreadthelastparagraphofStepSixfromtheOA2098TwelveandTwelve”(p.58).2099
LEADERREADS2100
“Aswiththefiveearliersteps,ourrewardswhenwe’vetakenstepsixare2101great.Althoughwemaynotrealizeitatfirst,ourcommitmenttoembracethe2102neededchangesinourselveshasgivenusanextraordinarypowertodeal2103withlife’schallenges.Nolongerdowegothroughlifeclingingdesperatelyto2104thepast,resistanttochange.Fromnowon,wewillstrivetokeepourselves2105entirelyreadyforanytransformationsourHigherPowerwantstobring2106aboutinus.Havingsuchanattitude,wecannotfail.Wewillbecomewiser,2107saner,moreeffectivepeopleaswerecoverfromthediseaseofcompulsive2108eating.We’llfindwecancopewithbothgoodtimes—andbad,learningand2109growingspirituallyfromeachexperience,asourHigherPowerintendedus2110todoallalong.”2111
LEADER2112
“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepSix?AmIentirelyreadytohaveGodorHP2113removeallmydefectsofcharacter?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsororpartnerin2114recoveryafterthissession.”2115
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepSeven(upto45minutes)2116
LEADER2117
“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepSeven:‘HumblyaskedHimtoremoveour2118shortcomings.’2119
“We’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.2120
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage60.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthe2121secondparagraph,startingwith‘Ifwehaveearnestly…’through‘…status-seeking,and2122self-righteousness’onpage62?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”2123
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]2124
LEADER2125
“WhyishumilitynecessarytocompleteStepSeven?2126
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas2127manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2128
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2129
LEADER2130
“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage73.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,2131beginningwith‘Whenwehavefinally…’andcontinuingthrough‘…whichcangiveus2132serenity’onpage74?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”2133
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]2134
LEADER2135
“Howcanhumilitybringaboutserenity?2136
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas2137manyaspossiblecanshare.”2138
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2139
2140
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
! ReadingandWritingonStepSevenfromVoicesofRecovery(25minutes)2141
LEADER2142
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepSeven.WewillnowreadpassagesfromoneofourOA2143dailyreadersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutesto2144writeonthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.2145
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadJuly1fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage183?”2146
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2147
LEADER2148
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadJuly2fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage184?”2149
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2150
LEADER2151
“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatthepassagesmeantoyou.”2152
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2153
LEADER2154
“Pleasetakefiveminuteseachtoshareyourwritingwithanotherperson.”2155
[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]2156
5121572158
51 TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Abstinence51Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
2159
21602161
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
! HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)
LEADER
“Herearethehomeworkassignmentsforthenextsession.”
[Leaderhandsouthomeworkworksheets.]
LEADER
“Let’sbrieflyreviewthehomeworkassignments.Werecommenddailywork,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharethehomeworkwithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.Thereadinghomeworkwillprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Wewillnotdiscusswritingoractionassignmentsduringoursessions.”
StepSevenSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession2162
2163
! Writing2164
! ReviewOATwelveandTwelve,StepSevenbeginningwith“First,wearenot…”2165through“…helpcanIchange”(pp.60-61).2166
• DescribehowIwillworktowardachievinghumilitywithregardtomycharacter2167defects.2168
! Action2169
• RereadOATwelveandTwelve,StepSevenbeginningwith“Howdowecompletestep2170seven?”through“Wehavetakenstepseven”(pp.62-63).2171
• Refertothelistofcharacterdefects/traitsIcompiledinStepSix.Humblyaskmy2172HigherPowertoremovethem,oneatatime,asdescribedintheOATwelveand2173Twelve.2174
• MemorizetheSeventhStepPrayerfoundonpagetbdofthisguideandpage76in2175theBigBook.52Orcreateandmemorizeasimilarprayerformyself.2176
• Followthesuggestionsgivenonpage64oftheOATwelveandTwelve:Visualizehow2177Iwillbewithouteachparticulardefect.Inthedaysandweeksahead,when2178previouslytroublingincidentsarise,pausebeforereacting,askmyHigherPowerfor2179guidance,andpracticehandlingthemdifferently.2180
! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepEightSession532181
• OATwelveandTwelve,StepEight(pp.67-73)2182
• AATwelveandTwelve,StepEight(pp.77-82)21832184
52 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
53 OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
StepEightSession2185
Madealistofallpersonswehadharmedandbecamewillingtomakeamendsto2186themall.2187
2188
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
2189
! Summary2190
LEADER2191
“TosummarizeourworkonStepSeven,I’llreadthelastparagraphofStepSevenfromthe2192OATwelveandTwelve”(pp.65-66).2193
LEADERREADS2194
“Repeatedpracticeofstepsevenenablesustoformaworkingpartnership2195withourHigherPowerthroughwhichwearerelievedofthedefectswhich2196haveblockedoureffectivenessintheworld.Aswegainnewhumilityand2197evergreaterfreedomfromourcharacterdefects,God’spowerflowsmore2198surelyandfreelythroughus,bringinghealingtoothersaswellasourselves,2199anddrawingtousallthethingsweoncefoughtsohardtoattain:self-esteem,2200afeelingofusefulness,joy,strengthtosurmountdifficulties,fellowship,and2201love.Oursimpleprayers,humblyspoken,areansweredinwonderfulwaysas2202weopenourlivestoGod’stransformingpower,andwefindthatGoddoesfor2203uswhatwecouldneverdoforourselves.”2204
LEADER2205
“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepSeven?HaveIhumblyandsincerelyaskedmy2206HigherPowertoremovemydefectsofcharacter?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsor2207orpartnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”2208
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepEight(upto45minutes)2209
LEADER2210
“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepEight:‘Madealistofallpersonswehadharmedand2211becamewillingtomakeamendstothemall.’2212
“We’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.2213
2214
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage80.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,2215beginningwith‘Wemightnextask…’throughtheendoftheSteponpage82?Pleasetake2216turnsreadingafewparagraphs.”2217
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]2218
LEADER2219
“Refertothelistofmoresubtleharmsdescribedonpage81.WhichonesdoImostreadily2220relatetoasharmfultomyselfandothers?ItmightbehelpfultorefertotheHarms(Guilt2221andRemorse)WorksheetcompletedinStepFour.2222
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas2223manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2224
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2225
LEADER2226
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage67.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,starting2227with‘Clearly,…’through‘…mercyandforgiveness’onpage69?Pleasetaketurnsreading2228afewparagraphs.”2229
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]2230
LEADER2231
“Asthechapterstates,ourownnameshavetobesomewherenearthetopofthelist(p.69).2232InwhatwayshaveIcausedmyselfharm?2233
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas2234manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2235
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2236
2237
2238
2239
2240
2241
2242
2243
2244
2245
! ReadingandWritingonStepEightfromVoicesofRecoveryandForToday(252246minutes)2247
LEADER2248
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepEight.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdaily2249readersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutestowrite2250onthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.2251
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadAugust1fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage214?”2252
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2253
LEADER2254
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadAugust30fromForTodayonpage243?”2255
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2256
LEADER2257
“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatthepassagesmeantoyou.”2258
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2259
LEADER2260
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
“Pleasetakefiveminuteseachtoshareyourwritingwithanotherperson.”2261
[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]2262
5422632264
54 TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Abstinence54Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
! HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)
LEADER
“Herearethehomeworkassignmentsforthenextsession.”
[Leaderhandsouthomeworkworksheets.]
LEADER
“Let’sbrieflyreviewthehomeworkassignments.Werecommenddailywork,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharethehomeworkwithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.Thereadinghomeworkwillprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Wewillnotdiscusswritingoractionassignmentsduringoursessions.”
StepEightSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession2265
2266
! Writing2267
• ReviewAATwelveandTwelve,StepEightbeginningwith“Theseobstacles,however,2268areveryreal….”through“…forgettingourown.”Identifyanyobstaclesthatstill2269obstructmywillingnesstomakeamends”(p.78).2270
! Action2271
• RefertomyStepFourInventoryworksheets.Considerthereadingswediscussedin2272oursession.Ismylistcomplete?AmIwillingtomakeamendstothemall?Ifnot,2273identifytheonesIamnotwillingtomakeamendstoanddiscusswithmysponsor2274orpartnerinrecovery.Prayforthewillingnesstomakeamendstothemall.2275
• Isforgivenessofoneormoreindividualsorsituationsanissueforme?Ifitis,Ican2276beginbyprayingforthewillingnesstoforgiveandthenprogresstoactually2277forgivingeachindividually,perhapsbyfollowingthesuggestioninthestory2278“FreedomfromBondage”intheBigBook55(pp.544-552).2279
! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepNineSession562280
• OATwelveandTwelve,StepNine(pp.75-81)2281
• AATwelveandTwelve,StepNine(pp.83-87)2282
• BigBook,chapter6,“IntoAction,”beginningwith“Nowweneedmoreaction….”2283through“Weworkforthem”(pp.76-84)2284
2285
55 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
56 OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
StepNineSession2286
Madedirectamendswhereverpossible,exceptwhentodosowouldinjurethemor2287others.2288
2289
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
! Summary2290
LEADER2291
“TosummarizeourworkonStepEight,IwillreadthelastparagraphofStepEightfromthe2292OATwelveandTwelve”(p.73).2293
LEADERREADS2294
“Asmuchaswemightliketo,wecannotskipthemakingofamends.The2295experienceofOAswhohaveworkedthestepsbeforeusshowsthatrecovery2296dependsoncompletingstepseightandnine.Withthisinmind,weturnonce2297moretoGod,askingforthewillingnesstodothethingswefear,tomakethe2298amendsweowe.Havingsaidthisprayersincerely,wearenowwilling,and2299wemovequicklyaheadtostepnine.”2300
LEADER2301
“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepEight?HaveIlistedallpeopleIhaveharmed2302andbecomewillingtomakeamendstothemall?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsoror2303partnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”2304
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepNine(upto45minutes)2305
LEADER2306
“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepNine:‘Madedirectamendswhereverpossible,except2307whentodosowouldinjurethemorothers.’2308
“We’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.2309
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage76.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,starting2310with‘Oursponsorswillprobablyremindus….’through‘…hurtsofthepast’atthetopof2311page79?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”2312
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]2313
LEADER2314
“Whatismeantby‘Wemustletgoofanyexpectationswemayhave’(p.76)?What2315expectationsdoIhaveaboutmakingamends?2316
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Whowouldliketo2317begin?”2318
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2319
LEADER2320
“PleaseopentheBigBook57topage77.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,startingfromthe2321lastparagraphwith‘Undernocondition…’through‘…gratifiedwiththeresult’onpage232278?”2323
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]2324
LEADER2325
“Whyisitimportanttofocusonourownactionsthatrequireamends?2326
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshare.Pleasebebriefsoasmanyaspossiblecanshare.Who2327wouldliketobegin?”2328
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2329
! ReadingandWritingonStepNinefromVoicesofRecoveryandForToday(252330minutes)2331
LEADER2332
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepNine.WewillnowreadpassagesfromourOAdaily2333readersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutestowrite2334onthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.2335
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadMarch8fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage68?”2336
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2337
57 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
2338
2339
LEADER2340
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadJanuary18fromForTodayonpage18?”2341
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2342
LEADER2343
“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatthepassagesmeantoyou.”2344
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2345
LEADER2346
“Pleasetakefiveminuteseachtoshareyourwritingwithanotherperson.”2347
[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]234858 2349
58 The Statement on Abstinence and Recovery is “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. Spiritual, emotional, and physical recovery is the result of living the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve-Step program.” (WSBC Policy 1988b, amended 2002, 2009, and 2011)
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
! Abstinence58Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
23502351
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork
! HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)
LEADER
“Herearethehomeworkassignmentsforthenextsession.”
[Leaderhandsouthomeworkworksheets.]
LEADER
“Let’sbrieflyreviewthehomeworkassignments.Werecommenddailywork,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharethehomeworkwithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.Thereadinghomeworkwillprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Wewillnotdiscusswritingoractionassignmentsduringoursessions.”
! Closing(2minutes)
LEADER
“Toclosethissession,wouldthosewhowish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideandjoinmeinthesuggestedclosingplustheOAPromise.”
[Leaderandparticipantssay__________.]
LEADERREADS
“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.Nolongeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponourownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpowerandstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveandunderstandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”
StepNineSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession2352
! Writing2353
• “OATwelveandTwelve,StepNinefromthebeginningoftheStepthrough“…toward2354theminthefuture”(pp.75-76).2355
• WhyisitimportanttotakeStepNine?2356
• Whatisthedifferencebetweenmakingapologiesandmakingamends?2357
• WhatamendsdoIneedtomaketoeachpersononmylist?2358
! Action2359
• ReviewthelistImadeinStepEight.ChooseatleastthreepeoplethatIamwillingto2360makeamendstonow.Besideeachname,writehowIplantomakeamends.Ask2361myselfifthesearetrueamendsormerelyanapology.Makingtrueamendsimplies2362forgivenessofbothmyselfandtheotherperson.Beforemakingamends,sharewhat2363Iplantodowithasponsororpartnerinrecovery.2364
• NowitistimeforthevitalStepNine.MaketheamendsIhavediscussed.OnceIhave2365completedoneamend,sharetheexperiencewithmysponsororpartnerin2366recovery.2367
• Weprobablywon’tfinishallouramendsbeforeournextsession,butkeepgoing.2368TheBigBook59tellsus“Wewillbeamazedbeforewearehalfwaythrough”(p.83).2369
! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepTenSession602370
• OATwelveandTwelve,StepTen(pp.83-90)2371
• AATwelveandTwelve,StepTen(pp.88-95)2372
59 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
60 OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
Spendasmuchtimeasyouneedonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.Thereadingassignmentswillprepareyoutoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleaseshareyourhomeworkbetweensessionswithyoursponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
• BigBook61,chapter6,“IntoAction,”beginningwith“Thisthoughtbringsus…”2373through“…moreaction”(pp.84-85).2374
2375
61 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
StepTenSession2376
Continuedtotakepersonalinventoryandwhenwewerewrong,promptly2377admittedit.2378
2379
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
2380
2381! Summary2382
LEADER2383
“TosummarizeourworkonStepNine,I’llreadthesecondtothelastparagraphofStep2384NinefromtheOATwelveandTwelve”(pp.80-81).2385
LEADERREADS2386
“Ifwearetoberestoredtorightrelationswithothers,wemustdowhatever2387wecantosquarethingswiththepeoplewehaveharmed.Muchofwhatwe2388needtodoinordertomakeamendswon’tbeeasy,butthosewhohavegone2389throughwithstepninehavealwaysfoundittobemorethanworththeeffort.2390WhenwefinishouramendsmostofusfeelclosertoourHigherPowerthan2391everbefore.Aswehavedealtlovinglywitheverypersoninourlives,our2392spiritualawakeninghasbecomeareality.Tothebestofourability,we’ve2393cleanedupthewreckageofthepast,andweareatpeacewiththeworld.”2394
LEADER2395
“StepNinestates:‘Madedirectamendstosuchpeoplewhereverpossible,exceptwhento2396dosowouldinjurethemorothers.’2397
“Weaskourselves:‘HaveIbegunmakingdirectamendswheneverpossible?AmIclearthat2398Imustnotmakeamendsthatwillcauseinjury?AmIfeelinganyresistancetomakingmy2399amends?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”2400
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepTen(upto45minutes)2401
LEADER2402
“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepTen:‘Continuedtotakepersonalinventoryandwhen2403wewerewrong,promptlyadmittedit.’2404
“Thewordwhenisimportant.It’snotifwewerewrong.AccordingtotheBigBook62,weare2405foolingourselvesifwethinkourcharacterdefectsaregoneforgood.Pleaseturntopage842406andfollowalongasIreadtheparagraphbeginningwith‘ThisthoughtbringsustoStep2407Ten….’”2408
[Leaderreadsthepassage.]2409
LEADER2410
“WorkingStepTenmeansactivelyworkingStepsFourthroughNineeveryday,including2411bothspot-checksthroughoutthedayasneededandadailyreview.Somebelievethatwe2412onlydoStepsFourthroughNineformallyonce,andthen,whenwetakeStepTendaily,we2413reviewtheconceptsthatareinStepsFourthroughNine.Wecontinuetotakepersonal2414inventoryandwhenwearewrongwepromptlyadmititordowhatisnecessarytomake2415amends.WeworkStepTenasawayoflife.Nowwe’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsand2416discussingwhatweread.2417
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetothebeginningofStepTenonpage83.MayIhave2418avolunteertoreadfromthebeginningofthechapterthrough‘…regainouremotional2419balance’onpage84?Pleasefollowalong.”2420
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]2421
LEADER2422
“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage90.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthe2423passage,beginningwith‘Itisaspiritualaxiom….’through‘…notforperfection’onpage242491?Pleasetaketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”2425
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]2426
LEADER2427
“Wenowhavefifteenminutestodiscussthesepassages.Pleasebebriefsoasmanyas2428possiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?” 2429
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2430
62 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
LEADER2431
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage85.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthe2432paragraphstarting‘Therearemanywaystotakepersonalinventories’?Pleasefollow2433along.”2434
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2435
! StepTenSpot-check(upto25minutes)2436
LEADER2437
“HerearetheStepTenSpot-checkmaterials:theStepTenSpot-checkExampleandtwo2438copiesoftheStepTenSpot-checkWorksheet.Keepacleancopyoftheblankworksheetfor2439thehomework.We’llworkwiththeothercopynow.”2440
[Leaderhandsoutmaterials.]2441
LEADER2442
“MayIhavetwovolunteerstoreadtheStepTenSpot-checkExample?Readingrowbyrow,2443onecanreadtheleftcolumnandtheothertherightcolumn.”2444
[Volunteerstaketurnsreading.]2445
LEADER2446
“HerearetheSummaryofInventoryWorksheetHeadings.Theseheadingsmayhelpus2447recalltheinventoryprocesswelearnedinworkingStepsFourthroughNine.”2448
[LeaderhandsouttheSummaryofInventory2449 WorksheetHeadings.]2450
LEADER2451
“Thinkofacurrentorrecentsituationthatdisturbedyou.Nowtakefiveminutestofillin2452therightcolumn,asbestyoucan,ontheStepTenSpot-checkWorksheet.”2453
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2454
LEADER2455
“Turntothepersonnexttoyouandsharewhatyouwrote.Eachpersonwillhavethree2456minutestoshare.”2457
[Leadersetsthetimerforsixminutes.]2458
2459
2460
LEADER2461
“Wenowhavefifteenminutestodiscussthespot-checkexercise.Pleasebebriefsoasmany2462aspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2463
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2464
2465
StepTenSpot-checkWorksheetExamples2466
StepTenisaprocessweusetohelpuscontinuetogrowspiritually.WhenweworkStep2467Ten,weactivelyworkStepsFourthroughNine.“Instepsfivethroughnineweventured2468outsideourisolationtoshareourselvesindepthwithourHigherPowerandwithother2469people”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,pp.84-85).2470
Thepasthasbeencleanedup.Nowit’stimetopracticeStepTen.2471
2472“ThepurposeofStepTenistoidentifyandremovefromourpathtoday’sstumblingblocks,thosemanifestationsofpride,fear,anger,self-pity,greed,andotheremotionswhicharebringingpainintoourlivesandkeepingusfromgrowingtoday”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.84).
Inyourmind,quicklygothroughtheStepFourInventoryworksheet(s)toidentifywhichcharacterdefects/traitstriggeredyourreaction.Ask:“HowwasIhurtorthreatened?WhatdidIdoorfailtodo?DidIdoharm?WhataspectofselfamIseekingtoprotectorbenefit?”Identifyandadmityourpart.
Rememberweareonlyassickasoursecrets.
StepsFourandFive:IdentifyandadmittoGod/HP,toyourself,andtoanother….
WhileIwasdrivingmychildrentoschool,anotherdrivercutmeoff.Iwasresentfulandangry.Iexpectedtheotherdrivertofollowmyrulesoftheroad.Ifearedforourlives.Thisthreatedmysecurity.
Ioverreacted.Iscreamedandcursedtheotherdriver.
TomyselfandtomyHigherPower,Imentallyacknowledgedmyexpectations,fear,anger,andoverreaction.
“Sometimeswe’llbecaughtoffguardandfallbackintothedefectivepatterns,butifwepersistinvisualizingandpracticingbetterwaysoflife,theywill,withourHigherPower’shelp,eventuallybecomesecondnature”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.
StepsSixandSeven:Pray/Meditate.
God,savemefrombeingangry.
Helpmeshowloveandtolerance.
Thankyou,God,forkeepingussafe.
Blessthem;changeme.
SeventhStepPrayeronpagetbdofthisguideandpage76oftheBigBook63.
63 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
64).
AskyourHigherPowertoremovethecharacterdefects/traitsthatflaredup.
Sayaprayerofyourchoice.
“Steptensuggeststhatwemakeamendspromptly,assoonaswerealizesomeonehasbeenwronged.Bydoingthis,webringanewhonestyintoourrelationships”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,pp.87-88).
Makeamends,asneeded.
StepsEightandNine:Makeamends.
Kids,I’msorryIscreamedandscaredyou.Iloveyou.AreyouOK?Howaboutahug?
“Practicingtheprincipleoflovewelearntoacceptothersastheyare,notaswewouldhavethembe….Slowlybutsurelywefindweareestablishingthebestpossiblerelationshipwitheachpersonweknow”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.105).
Closure:Showloveandtolerance.
IletgoandletGod.Isangsongswithmykidstotakeourmindsoffthescarymomentandbackintothepresentmoment.
Inthefuture,Iwillstrivetobemoreawareandalertwhiledriving.
WhenIgothome,Imadeanoutreachcall.
24732474
StepTenSpot-checkWorksheet2475
StepTenisaprocessweusetohelpuscontinuetogrowspiritually.WhenweworkStep2476Ten,weactivelyworkStepsFourthroughNine.“Instepsfivethroughnineweventured2477outsideourisolationtoshareourselvesindepthwithourHigherPowerandwithother2478people”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,pp.84-85).2479
Thepasthasbeencleanedup.Nowit’stimetopracticeStepTen.2480
2481“ThepurposeofStepTenistoidentifyandremovefromourpathtoday’sstumblingblocks,thosemanifestationsofpride,fear,anger,self-pity,greed,andotheremotionswhicharebringingpainintoourlivesandkeepingusfromgrowingtoday”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.84).
Inyourmind,quicklygothroughtheStepFourInventoryworksheet(s)toidentifywhichcharacterdefects/traitstriggeredyourreaction.Askyourself:“HowwasIhurtorthreatened?WhatdidIdoorfailtodo?DidIdoharm?WhataspectofselfamIseekingtoprotectorbenefit?”Identifyandadmityourpart.
Rememberweareonlyassickasoursecrets.
StepsFourandFive:IdentifyandadmittoGod/HP,toyourself,andtoanother….
“Sometimeswe’llbecaughtoffguardandfallbackintothedefectivepatterns,butifwepersistinvisualizingandpracticingbetterwaysoflife,theywill,withourHigherPower’shelp,eventuallybecomesecondnature”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.64).
StepsSixandSeven:Pray/Meditate.
AskyourHigherPowertoremovethecharacterdefects/traitsthatflaredup.
Sayaprayerofyourchoice.
“Steptensuggeststhatwemakeamendspromptly,assoonaswerealizesomeonehasbeenwronged.Bydoingthis,webringanewhonestyintoourrelationships”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,pp.87-88).
Makeamends,asneeded.
Closure:Showloveandtolerance.
“Practicingtheprincipleoflovewelearntoacceptothersastheyare,notaswewouldhavethembe….Slowlybutsurelywefindweareestablishingthebestpossiblerelationshipwitheachpersonweknow”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.105).
Closure:Showloveandtolerance.
24822483
SummaryofInventoryWorksheetHeadingsResentmentsandFears
ResentmentsWorksheet“Angerandresentmentarecommonmanifestationsofourdisease.Infact,mostofusatecompulsivelywhenwefeltangerorresentment.Aswecontinuewritingourinventories,itisimportanttolistthepeopleandinstitutionswe’veheldgrudgesagainst”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.38).
1 2 3 4 5People,
institutions,principlesIresent: Why?
Whataspectofselfishurtorthreatened?
Whatismypartincreatingthissituation?
Whatcharacterdefect/traittriggersmyreaction?
Ambition
Pride
Relationships
Security
Self-Esteem
Dishonesty
Expectations
Greed/Envy
Fear
Low
Self-Esteem
Self-
Centeredness
Other
FearsWorksheet“Aswetakeinventorywealsolookatourfears.Formanyofus,fear,worry,andanxietyhaveplayedakeyroleinourlives,robbingusofjoyandkeepingusfromfulfillingourdreams”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.37).
1 2 3 4 5 6
WhoorwhatamI
afraidof? Why?Whataspectofselffeelsthreatened?
Whatismypartin
creatingormaintainingthissituation?
Whatcharactertrait/defecttriggers
myaction?WhatwouldmyHigherPower
havemebe?
Ambition
Pride
Relationships
Security
Self-Esteem
SummaryofInventoryWorksheetHeadingsSexConductandHarms
SexConductWorksheet“Someofouractionswillbepainfulforustorecall,butwewritethemdownanyway.Whenwefacetheguiltthattruthfullytellsus,‘Youmadeamistake,’we’refreedofshamethatfalselytellsus,‘youareamistake’”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.43).
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
WhodidIhurt? WasI:
DidIunjustifiablyarouse:
Whoelsewashurt,ifanyone?
Whatcharacterdefect/traittriggeredmyaction?
HowwasIatfault?
Inthefuture…
Selfish?
Dishonest?
Inconsiderate?
Jealousy?
Suspicion?
Bitterness?
Dishonesty
Expectations
Greed/Envy/
Jealousy
Fear
Low
Self-Esteem
Self-centered
Other
Harms(GuiltandRemorse)Worksheet“We’veliedtoourselvesaboutourotherproblems,too,denyingthatwe’vemademistakes,thatwe’vebeenwrongaboutthings,thatweneedtochange.Wemustchangeifwearetorecover”(TheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous,p.30).
1 2 3 4
WhoorwhatdidIharm? WhatdidIdoorfailtodo?WhataspectofselfdidIseektoprotectorbenefit?
Whatcharacterdefect/traittriggeredmyaction?
Ambition
Pride
Relationships
Security
Self-Esteem
Dishonesty
Expectations
Greed/Envy
Fear
LowSelf-
Esteem
Self-
Centeredness
Other
2489! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepTen,continued(upto25minutes)2490
LEADER2491
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepTen.Let’scontinuebylearninghowtowriteadaily2492review.Aswereadonpage86intheOATwelveandTwelve,‘Amoreleisurelyandcareful2493analysisthanthespot-checkinventory,adailyinventorymaybewrittenordonementally.2494Itspurposeistorevealthoseareasinwhichwe’rehavingdifficultiesinourdailylivesand2495helpusdeterminewhatwecandoaboutthem.’2496
“TherearemanywaystopracticeStepTen.Wesuggestadailywrittenreviewofwhat2497wentwellandwhatdidn’tgowell.2498
“Wehavelearnedfromexperiencetopromptlytakeinventorywhenourself-centeredness,2499fears,andresentmentsappear.Ifwedon’t,theywillcauseusmiseryandlossof2500abstinence64.Livinglifeinfearandresentmentindicatesareturntolackofconscious2501contactwithourHigherPower,towillfulness,andtotheunmanageabilityofourlives.2502
64 TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
“Wealsouseourdailyreviewtonoticethatweareoutgrowingourself-hatredandlackof2503self-esteem.Weacknowledgethethoughts,feelings,andactionsgeneratedbyourstrengths2504andourincreasingrelianceonourHigherPower.2505
“Wecanopenourreviewwithaprayer,askingourHigherPowerforhonestyandguidance.2506Wecanexpressgratitudefortheblessingsinourlives—especiallyconsciouscontactwitha2507lovingHigherPower.Wecanclosebyprayingforforgivenessforourselvesandothers,2508releasefromthecharacterdefects/traitsthatcauseusproblems,andwillingnessto2509continuegrowinginourprogram.2510
“Itdoesn’tmatterwherewewriteourdailyreview—justthatwedevelopapracticetodo2511it.”2512
! StepTenDailyReview(upto25minutes)2513
LEADER2514
“DoingaStepTenDailyReviewhelpsuscontinuetodealwithlifeonlife’stermswithout2515pickingupthefood.HerearetheStepTenDailyReviewmaterials—twocopiesoftheStep2516TenDailyReviewandaSelf-Will/HP’sorGod’sWilltable.Keepacleancopyoftheblank2517worksheetforthehomework.We’llworkwiththeothercopynow.Youmayfindthetable2518helpfulasyoureviewtheday.”2519
[Leaderhandsoutthematerials.]2520
LEADER2521
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadtheStepTenDailyReview?Pleasefollowalong.”2522
[VolunteerreadstheStepTenDailyReview.]2523
LEADER2524
“Reflectingonthedaythathasjustpassed,takefiveminutesusingthisworksheettowrite2525areview.” 2526
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2527
LEADER2528
“WenowhavetenminutestoshareonthisStepTenDailyReviewexercise.Pleasebebrief2529soasmanyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2530
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2531
2532
2533
2534
LEADER2535
“Thankyouforsharing.LongtimeOAmemberswithmanyyearsofrecoveryembracethe2536dailypracticeofStepTen.Theyfindithelpfulandevenvitaltodiscussthisworkwiththeir2537sponsororotherOAmembers.Inclosing,IwillreadtherewardstheBigBook652538promises—ifwekeeppracticingStepTenforalifetime.Pleaseturntopage84andfollow2539along,beginningwith“Andwehaveceasedfighting…”through“…fitspiritualcondition”2540onpage85.2541
[Leaderreadsthepassage.]2542
2543
65 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
StepTenDailyReview2544
Date:__________SunMonTuesWedThursFriSat2545
2546
Gratitude—todayIthankmyHigherPowerfor:
SomethingsIlikeaboutmyselfare:
2547
TodaywasI:2548
Resentful?2549
Selfish?2550
Dishonest?2551
Jealous?2552
Fearful?(Oflosingsomething?OfnotgettingwhatIwant?Ofbeingfoundout?)2553
Restless,irritable,ordiscontented?2554
WasIkindandlovingtowardall?2555
DoIoweanamends?2556
WhatdidIdoforothers?2557
WhatcouldIhavedonebetter?2558
WhatdidIdowell?2559
2560
Refertotheprayerprocessdescribedin“FreedomfromBondage”intheBigBook66(p.2561552)andtheSelf-Will/HP’sorGod’sWillhandouttocompletethefollowing:2562
2563
God/HP,grantmefreedomfrom: Andreplaceitwith:
2564
God/HP,Ipray/wishforthehealth,prosperity,happiness,andwell-beingof:2565
AllthethingsIwantformyself,Ipray/wishwillalsobegiventothisperson.2566
2567
66 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
Self-Will/HP’sorGod’sWill2568
Mayalsobethoughtofas:CharacterDefect/CharacterAsset2569
Liability/Asset2570
Self-Defeating/LifeAffirming2571
2572
Dishonesty * Honesty2573
Fear * Faith/TrustinHPorGod2574 Selfishness/Self-seeking * InterestinOthers/Altruism2575
Self-centered * Love-centered/HP-orGod-centered2576 Inconsiderate * Considerate2577
Pride * Humility/SeekingHP’sorGod’sWill2578
Greed * Giving/Sharing2579 LustfulThoughts * RespectfulThoughts2580
Anger * Serenity/Acceptance2581
Envy * Gratitude2582 Judgment * Acceptance2583
Sloth/Procrastination * TakingRightAction2584 Gluttony * Moderation2585
Impatience * Patience2586
Intolerance * Tolerance2587 Resentment * Forgiveness2588
Hate * Love/ConcernforOthers2589 HarmfulActs * GoodDeeds2590
Self-pity * Gratitude2591
Self-justification * Humility/Truth2592 Self-importance * Modesty2593
Self-condemnation * Self-forgiveness2594
Suspicion/Jealousy * Trust2595 Doubt * Faith/TrustinHPorGod2596
2597
672598
25992600260126022603
26042605
67 TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Abstinence67Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
! HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)
LEADER
“Herearethehomeworkassignmentsforthenextsession.”
[Leaderhandsouthomeworkworksheets.]
LEADER
“Let’sbrieflyreviewthehomeworkassignments.Werecommenddailywork,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharethehomeworkwithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.Thereadinghomeworkwillprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Wewillnotdiscusswritingoractionassignmentsduringoursessions.”
26062607
! Closing(2minutes)
LEADER
“Toclosethissession,wouldthosewhowish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideandjoinmeinthesuggestedclosingplustheOAPromise.”
[Leaderandparticipantssay__________.]
LEADERREADS
“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.Nolongeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponourownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpowerandstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveandunderstandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”
StepTenSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession26082609
! Writing2610
• HowwillactivelyworkingStepTeneverydayexpandmyspirituallifeandsupport2611long-termabstinence68?2612
• ReviewtheOATwelveandTwelve,StepTen:2613
o Beginningwith“Intakingdailyinventory,…”through“…allowingwounds2614tofester”(pp.87-88).2615
o Beginningwith“Apersistentefforttoletgoofourdefects…”through“…2616whateverwecantochange”(p.89).2617
o Beginningwith“Aswerepeatedlyactonstepten…”throughtheendofthe2618chapter(pp.89-90).2619
• WhatactionsdoIseemyselftakingtopracticeStepTen?2620
! Action2621
• ForguidanceinworkingStepTen,readtheBigBook69,chapter6,“IntoAction,”2622beginningwith“ThisthoughtbringsustoStepTen….”through“…isourcode”(p.262384).2624
• ChooseatimeandplacetowriteaStepTenDailyReview.MakecopiesoftheStep2625TenDailyReviewsoIcanfilloutoneeachdayfortherestoftheworkshop.Doingso2626willhelpmeestablishavitallifetimepractice.2627
68 TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
69 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
• AssoonasIgetanuncomfortablefeeling—anger,fear,hurt,andsoon—takeaStep2628TenSpot-checkInventory.AsIprocessmyfeelings,refertotheStepTenSpot-check2629WorksheetandtotheSummaryofInventoryWorksheetHeadings,asneeded.Make2630copiesoftheworksheetsoIcanquicklywritethisinventory.PracticethisSpot-2631checkInventoryfortherestoftheworkshop.Soonwewilllearntheprocesssowell2632thatwecanquicklydoitinourhead.2633
• Whentakinginventory,noticewhichcharacterdefects/traitsareinvolved—usually2634someformofselfishness,dishonesty,resentment,orfear.WhatdoIneedtodoin2635ordertoberidofthedefect/trait?2636
• WhenIfeelI’veharmedsomeone—especiallyifI’munclearaboutwhatamendsto2637make—discussthesituationwithmysponsor.2638
• Whenissuesarisethatneedclarificationduringinventory,discussthemwitha2639sponsor.2640
! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepElevenSession702641
• OATwelveandTwelve,StepEleven(pp.91-98)2642
• AATwelveandTwelve,StepEleven(pp.96-105)2643
• BigBook71,chapter6,“IntoAction,”beginningwith“StepElevensuggestsprayerand2644meditation….”through“…waywehavejustoutlined”(pp.85-88).2645
2646
70 OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
71 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
StepElevenSession2647
SoughtthroughprayerandmeditationtoimproveourconsciouscontactwithGodas2648weunderstoodHim,prayingonlyforknowledgeofHiswillforusandthepowerto2649carrythatout.2650
2651
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthoseofwhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingthe
2652
! Summary2653
LEADER2654
“TosummarizeourworkonStepTen,I’llreadpartofthelastparagraphofStepTenfrom2655theOATwelveandTwelve”(pp.89-90).2656
LEADERREADS2657
“Aswerepeatedlyactonstepten,webegintoseetheremarkablewaythe2658stepswill,fromnowon,continuetoremoveunnecessaryturmoilandpain2659fromourlives.Thenewattitudesofhonestyaboutourproblemsand2660surrendertoaPowergreaterthanourselveshavebecomeapartofusby2661now;theyarethebasisofeverychoicewemakeinourday-to-daylives.2662Reviewingourrecentbehavior,keepingourHigherPowerinchargeofour2663lives,askingforguidance,andpromptlyadmittingourerrors,becomesa2664saneandsatisfyingwayoflife—farbetterthannursingourfearsorbuilding2665afreshsetofresentmentstoharbor.Forcedtoadoptthisnewwayofcoping2666withlifeinordertorecoverfromcompulsiveeating,wenowfindourselves2667gratefulforthisprograminitsownright.”2668
LEADER2669
“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulytakenStepTen?HaveIcontinuedtotakeapersonal2670inventoryandwhenIwaswrong,promptlyadmittedit?’Pleaseshareaboutthiswitha2671sponsororpartnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”2672
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepEleven(upto45minutes)2673
LEADER2674
OvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepEleven:‘Soughtthroughprayerandmeditationto2675improveourconsciouscontactwithGodasweunderstoodHim,prayingonlyforknowledge2676ofHiswillforusandthepowertocarryitout.’2677
“We’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.2678
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage91.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,2679beginningatthesecondparagraphwith‘InOAweshareabeliefthat…’through‘…when2680wefeeltheneedforguidance,strength,orserenity’onpage93?”2681
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]2682
LEADER2683
“Accordingtothispassage,StepElevenembodiesfreedom,action,andpractice.Whatdo2684eachofthesewordsmeantousinthecontextofthisStep?”2685
LEADER2686
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas2687manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2688
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2689
LEADER2690
“PleaseopentheAATwelveandTwelvetopage102.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,2691beginningwith‘Inthemorning…’through‘…intentofStepEleven’onpage103?Please2692taketurnsreadingafewparagraphs.”2693
[Volunteerstaketurnsreadingthepassage.]2694
LEADER2695
“WhatistheintentofStepElevenandhowcanwepracticeit?2696
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas2697manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2698
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2699
27002701270227032704
2705
2706! ReadingandWritingonStepElevenfromVoicesofRecovery(25minutes)2707
LEADER2708
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepEleven.NowwewillreadpassagesfromoneofourOA2709dailyreadersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe’lltaketwentyminutesto2710writeonthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.2711
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadNovember1fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage306?”2712
[Volunteerreadsthepassages.]2713
LEADER2714
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadNovember4fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage309?”2715
[Volunteerreadsthepassages.]2716
LEADER2717
“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatthepassagesmeantoyou.”2718
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2719
2720
2721
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
LEADER2722
“Pleasetakefiveminuteseachtoshareyourwritingwithanotherperson.”2723
[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]272472 2725
2726
72 TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Abstinence72Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
HomeworkAssignments(5minutestohandouthomework)
LEADER
“Herearethehomeworkassignmentsforthenextsession.”
[Leaderhandsouthomeworkworksheets.]
LEADER
“Let’sbrieflyreviewthehomeworkassignments.Werecommenddailywork,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharethehomeworkwithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.Thereadinghomeworkwillprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Wewillnotdiscusswritingoractionassignmentsduringoursessions.”
StepElevenSessionHomeworkandReadingforNextSession2727
2728
! Writing2729
• ReviewtheBigBook73,chapter6,“IntoAction,”beginningwith“Inthinkingabout2730ourday…”through“…reallydoes”(pp.86-88).2731
• StepElevenisaboutlivinglifeonaspiritualbasisinsteadof“self-willrunriot”2732(AlcoholicsAnonymous,4thed.,p.62).WhatdoespracticingStepElevenmeantome2733inthoughtandaction?2734
• RefertotheOATwelveandTwelve,StepElevenbeginningwith“Stepelevenimplies2735thatthroughourpractice…”through“…ourHigherPowerinthefuture”(pp.97-273698.)2737
• WhataresomewaysinwhichIcanbegintorecognizemyHigherPower’swillfor2738me?2739
! Action2740
• IfIdonotyethavearegularStepElevenpracticeofprayerandmeditation,begin.2741TheOATwelveandTwelveadvisesusaboutbothprayerandmeditation:2742“RememberingthatourgoalistodevelopacloserconsciouscontactwithGod,2743prayerissimplywhatwedowhenwetalkwithourHigherPower…”(p.93)and2744“Theonlywaytodomeditationwrongisnottodoitatall”(p.96).Setasidealittle2745timeeverymorning,evenifitisonlyfiveminutes.Allowmyselftositcomfortably2746andquietly,andbegin.Makethisadailycommitment.Discussmypracticewithmy2747sponsororpartnerinrecovery.2748
! ReadingAssignmentsfortheStepTwelveSession742749
• OATwelveandTwelve,StepTwelve(pp.99-106)2750
• AATwelveandTwelve,StepTwelve(pp.106-125)275173 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
74 OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
• BigBook752752
• Chapter7,“WorkingWithOthers”(pp.89-103)2753
• AppendixII,“SpiritualExperience”(p.567-568)2754
75 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
StepTwelveSession2755
Havinghadaspiritualawakeningastheresultofthesesteps,wetriedtocarrythis2756messagetocompulsiveovereatersandtopracticetheseprinciplesinallouraffairs.2757
2758
! Opening(15minutes)
• SerenityPrayer
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone.Wouldthosewhocareto,pleasejoinmeintheSerenityPrayer?”
LEADERREADS
“God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,couragetochangethethingsIcan,andwisdomtoknowthedifference.”
• Check-in(5minutes)
LEADER
“Welcome,everyone,tothe__________ofourOvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepWorkshop.Let’sdoabriefcheck-in.Pleaseturntothepersonnexttoyouand,inafewsentences,let’ssharewhateverweneedtosetasideaboutourdayinordertobefullypresent.Wehavefiveminutes.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• Meditation(3minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowmeditateforthreeminutes,beingopentoourHigherPower’sguidanceinourrecovery.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
• WorkshopGoal
LEADER
“Thegoalofthisworkshopistohelpusachieveandmaintainabstinence.InOA,theStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis‘Abstinenceistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingthe
2759
! Summary2760
LEADER2761
“TosummarizeourworkonStepEleven,I’llreadanexcerptfromthelastparagraphof2762StepElevenfromtheOATwelveandTwelve”(p.98).2763
LEADERREADS2764
“OAswhohavemadeprayerandmeditationaregularpartoftheirliveshave2765foundaresourceforhealingandstrengthwhichcannotfail….OurHigher2766Poweristheonlysourceofhelpthatisalwaysavailabletous,alwaysstrong2767enoughtoliftusupandsetourfeetonthepathoflife.Prayerandmeditation2768areourlinkstothisunfailingsource.Practicedregularly,theyopenourlives2769tothecomfortwesoughtinfoodbutcouldneverfind.Throughprayerand2770meditationwealignourselveswithahigherspiritualPowerwhichgivesus2771everythingweneedtolivetoourfullestpotential.”2772
LEADER2773
“Weaskourselves:‘HaveItrulybeguntotakeStepEleven?AmIseekingthroughprayer2774andmeditationtoimprovemyconsciouscontactwithGodasIunderstandHim,praying2775onlyforknowledgeofHiswillformeandthepowertocarrythatout?’Pleaseshareabout2776thiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryafterthissession.”2777
! ReadingandGroupDiscussionofStepTwelve(upto45minutes)2778
LEADER2779
“WewillnowbeginourworkonStepTwelve:‘Havinghadaspiritualawakeningasthe2780resultofthesesteps,wetriedtocarrythismessagetocompulsiveovereatersandto2781practicetheseprinciplesinallouraffairs.’2782
OvereatersAnonymousTwelveStepprogram.’BasedontheexperienceofrecoveringOAmembers,thewayoutofdespairandhopelessnessintoalifebeyondourwildestdreamsisthroughworkingtheTwelveSteps.Togetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.”
• TwelveSteps(5minutes)
LEADER
“Tohelpusfocusonourwork,wewillnowreadtheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous.PleaseopenTheTwelveStepsandTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymoustopage213.MayIhaveavolunteertobeginreading?Pleasetaketurns.”
[VolunteersreadtheSteps.]
“We’llstartbyreadingfromourtextsanddiscussingwhatweread.2783
“PleaseopentheOATwelveandTwelvetopage99.MayIhaveavolunteertoread,starting2784fromthebeginningofthechapterthrough‘…insteadofincompulsiveeating’onpage100?2785Pleasefollowalong.”2786
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2787
LEADER2788
“Haveyouexperiencedanykindofspiritualawakening?Whatwasitlike?2789
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas2790manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2791
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2792
LEADER2793
“PleaseopentheBigBook76topage89.MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthefirsttwo2794paragraphsofthechapter,through‘…brightspotofourlives’?Pleasefollowalong.”2795
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2796
LEADER2797
“Thinkabouthowwehavebeenhelpedbyothersinthisprogram.Therearemanywaysto2798helpothers,includingsponsoring,leadingameeting,makingoutreachcalls,anddoing2799servicebeyondthegrouplevel.Howdoyouplantohelpothers?2800
“Wehavefifteenminutestoshareonthisquestionoronthepassage.Pleasebebriefsoas2801manyaspossiblecanshare.Whowouldliketobegin?”2802
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2803
280428052806
2807
2808
2809
76 Inthisworkshop,werefertothebookAlcoholicsAnonymousastheBigBook.ThepagenumberscitedarefortheFourthEdition.
2810
! ReadingandWritingonStepTwelvefromVoicesofRecovery(25minutes)2811
LEADER2812
“WelcomebacktoourworkonStepTwelve.WewillnowreadpassagesfromoneofourOA2813dailyreadersrelatedtothiswork.Pleasefollowalong.Thenwe'lltaketwentyminutesto2814writeonthesepassagesandshareourwritingwithapartner.2815
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadDecember1fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage336?” 2816
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2817
LEADER2818
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadAugust14fromVoicesofRecoveryonpage227?”2819
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2820
LEADER2821
“Pleasetaketenminutestowriteaboutwhatthepassagesmeantoyou.”2822
[Leadersetsthetimer.]2823
LEADER2824
“Pleasetakefiveminuteseachtoshareyourwritingwithanotherperson.”2825
[Leadersetsthetimerfortenminutes.]2826
! Contributions(3minutes)
LEADER
“AccordingtoourSeventhTradition,weareself-supporting.Ourcostsforthisworkshopare__________[specificamountforthisworkshop].Weneed__________[specificamount]tocovercosts.Pleasegiveasgenerouslyasyoucan.”
[Leaderpassesthebasket.]
! Break(10minutes)
LEADER
“Wewillnowtakeatenminutebreak.Pleasereturntoyourseatspromptlywhenyouhearthetimer.”
[Leadersetsthetimer.]
77 2827
! WorkshopSummary(10minutes)2828
LEADER2829
“Congratulationstousall!WithguidancefromourHigherPowerandhelpfromeachother,2830wedidit.WeperseveredandcompletedourworkshopontheTwelveSteps!Thisprocess2831requiredthegraceofourHigherPowerandmanyofourstrengths:honesty,open-2832mindedness,willingness,tenacity,dedication,faith,hope,andtrust.Ourexperiencewill2833serveuswellasweworkourprogramdaily,committedtoabstinence78andtosponsoring2834othercompulsiveeaters!2835
“WenevergraduatefromOvereatersAnonymousandweneverstopworkingtheSteps—2836especiallyaswelivedailyinStepsTen,Eleven,andTwelve.Ourprimarypurposeas2837membersofOAistoabstainfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorsandto2838carrythemessageofrecoverythroughtheTwelveStepsofOAtothosewhostillsuffer—2839and,asearlyAAmembersdiscovered,doingsoisthewaytomaintainourownrecovery.2840
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthelasttwoparagraphsofStepTwelvefromtheOATwelve2841andTwelve(p.106)?Pleasefollowalong.”2842
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]284377 TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
78 TheStatementonAbstinenceandRecoveryis“AbstinenceinOvereatersAnonymousistheactionofrefrainingfromcompulsiveeatingandcompulsivefoodbehaviorswhileworkingtowardsormaintainingahealthybodyweight.Spiritual,emotional,andphysicalrecoveryistheresultoflivingtheOvereatersAnonymousTwelve-Stepprogram.”(WSBCPolicy1988b,amended2002,2009,and2011)
! Abstinence77Check-in
LEADER
“AmIabstinenttoday?Ifso,begratefulandthankyourHigherPower.Yourexperienceprovideshopeforusall.WhatamIdoingtomaintainmyabstinence?Discussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandsharetheexperiencewithanothermemberofthisworkshop.
“IfIamnotabstinent,Iwilldiscussthiswithasponsororpartnerinrecovery—specificallytheactionsIwilltaketosupportmywillingnesstogotoanylengthtorecoverfromcompulsiveeating.IwillaskmyHigherPowerforhelpandfollowtheguidanceIreceive.Pray/meditate;thendothefootwork.”
LEADER2844
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadthelasttwoparagraphsof“AVisionforYou”fromtheBig2845Book,79endingwith‘MayGodblessyouandkeepyou—untilthen’?(p.164)”2846
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2847
LEADER2848
“MayIhaveavolunteertoreadpage146fromtheOATwelveandTwelve,beginningwith2849‘Traditionfiveremindsus….’through‘…livingbyOAprinciples’onpage147?”2850
[Volunteerreadsthepassage.]2851
LEADER2852
“OA’sResponsibilityPledgestates:2853
‘AlwaystoextendthehandandheartofOAtoallwhosharemycompulsion;2854forthisIamresponsible.’2855
WillIcarrythismessagetoothercompulsiveeatersandpracticethesePrinciplesinallmy2856affairs?Ifso,pleasestandandsay‘YES!’”2857
! HomeworkAssignments2858
LEADER2859
“Thisisthelastsessionofourworkshop,sothereisnohomework.Buttherearequestions2860andreadingssuggestedtohelpuscontinueourongoingStepwork.Therearealwaysmore2861stepstotakeinourjourneyandincarryingthemessageofrecovery.Werecommenddaily2862work,butspendasmuchtimeasneeded.Sharetheworkwithasponsororpartnerin2863recovery,anothermemberofthisworkshop,andfellowOAmembers.”2864
[Leaderhandsoutthematerials.]2865
2866
79 In this workshop, we refer to the book Alcoholics Anonymous as the Big Book. The page numbers cited are for the Fourth Edition.
2867
! Closing(2minutes)
LEADER
“Toclosethissession,wouldthosewhowish,pleaseturntopagetbdofthisguideandjoinmeinthesuggestedclosingplustheOAPromise.”
[Leaderandparticipantssay__________.]
LEADERREADS
“Iputmyhandinyours,andtogetherwecandowhatwecouldneverdoalone.Nolongeristhereasenseofhopelessness,nolongermustweeachdependuponourownunsteadywillpower.Wearealltogethernow,reachingoutourhandsforpowerandstrengthgreaterthanours,andaswejoinhands,wefindloveandunderstandingbeyondourwildestdreams.”
StepTwelveSessionAssignments2868
2869
! Reading802870
• OATwelveandTwelve,TraditionFive(pp.145-151)2871
• BigBook81,chapter11,“AVisionforYou”(pp.151-164)2872
! Writing2873
• SinceIamthemessage,howcanIcarrythemessagetothebestofmyability2874physically,emotionally,andspiritually?2875
• AsIpracticethePrinciplesoftheprogram,howdoIact,think,andfeel?2876
• Havingcompletedthisworkshop,Iamreadytosponsor!HowamIgoingtouse2877whatIhavelearnedtobeabettersponsor?2878
• WhatsupportwouldIneedtofacilitatethisworkshopforothercompulsiveeaters2879whowantrecovery?2880
2881
80 OA-approvedliteraturefoundatbookstore.oa.org.
81 In this workshop, we refer to the book Alcoholics Anonymous as the Big Book. The page numbers cited are for the Fourth Edition.
Spendasmuchtimeasneededonthishomeworkassignment.Werecommenddailywork.ThereadingassignmentswillhelpustoreviewtheIntroductorySessionandprepareustoparticipateinournextsession.Sincewewillnotdiscusswritingoractionhomeworkduringoursessions,pleasesharethehomeworkbetweensessionswithasponsororpartnerinrecoveryandanothermemberofthisworkshop.
StepTwelveSessionActions:NextSteps2882
Whatarethenextstepswecantakeindoingserviceforourgroup,ourintergroup(IG),our2883region,andtheOAWorldServiceBusinessConference(WSBC)?Workwithasponsorto2884createanactionplan.Includesuchitemsas:2885
! Giveserviceattheindividual,group,andservicebodylevels.2886
• Stayabstinent!AbstinenceisaservicetoourselvesandtotheFellowship.2887
• Facilitatethisworkshop.2888
• UsetheStrongMeetingsChecklistandWritingExercise.2889
• Leadorvolunteertospeakatmeetings.2890
• Attendourhomegroup’sbusinessmeetings.2891
• Takeaservicepositioninourhomegroup.2892
• “CallFive!Keep’emalive!”(Callmemberswhomissedthegroupmeetingtosay2893“Hi!”)2894
• IncreaseourSeventhTraditioncontributiontosupportOA’smissiontocarrythe2895messageofrecoverytothestill-sufferingcompulsiveeater.(Rememberthecostof2896ourlastbinge.)2897
• Callorofferridestonewcomers.2898
• Sponsoranewcomer.2899
• Representourgroupatintergroupmeetings.2900
• Joinanintergroupcommittee.2901
• Takeaservicepositioninourintergroup.2902
• QualifyandvolunteertobeaWSBCdelegate.2903
• SubscribetoLifeline.2904
• WritestoriesforLifeline.2905
• AskourhomegrouptopurchaseaLifelinesubscription.2906
• Chairorco-chairanOArecoveryeventorretreat.2907
• Qualifyandvolunteertobearegionrepresentative.2908
! Familiarizeourselveswithoa.organdsharesuchinformationas:2909
• OAvirtualservices,suchaspodcastsandvirtualworkshops.2910
• Sourcesofrecordedspeakers.2911
• SuggestedMeetingFormats.2912
• What’sinOA’sbookstore.2913
• Guidelinesforservicebodies.2914
• Local(face-to-face),online,andphonemeetingdirectories.2915
• Freediscontinuedliterature.2916
• AStepAheadnewsletter,availableasafreedownload.2917
• Guidelinesforservicepositions.2918
• What’shappeningatWSBC.LookontheWorldServiceEventspageonoa.org.2919
! IntroduceOAtoourhealthcareprofessionals—doctor,dietician,dentist,2920therapist,andothers.2921
• Shareourrecovery:physical,emotional,andspiritual.2922
• OffertheIntroducingOAtoHealthCareProfessionalspamphlet.2923
• OfferacopyoftheProfessionalCommunityCouriernewsletter,availablefrom2924bookstore.oa.orgorasafreedownloadonoa.org.2925
• Volunteerifwequalifyoroffertohelpfindaspeakerforaprofessionalassociation2926meeting.2927
• OfferasubscriptiontoLifelinemagazineforthewaitingroom.2928
• Keepthemsuppliedwithlocalmeetingdirectories.2929
• InvitethemtoanopenOAmeeting.2930
TheTwelveStepsofOvereatersAnonymous
1. Weadmittedwewerepowerlessoverfood—thatourliveshadbecomeunmanageable.
2. CametobelievethataPowergreaterthanourselvescouldrestoreustosanity.
3. MadeadecisiontoturnourwillandourlivesovertothecareofGodasweunderstoodHim.
4. Madeasearchingandfearlessmoralinventoryofourselves.5. AdmittedtoGod,toourselvesandtoanotherhumanbeingtheexactnature
ofourwrongs.6. WereentirelyreadytohaveGodremoveallthesedefectsofcharacter.7. HumblyaskedHimtoremoveourshortcomings.8. Madealistofallpersonswehadharmedandbecamewillingtomake
amendstothemall.9. Madedirectamendstosuchpeoplewhereverpossible,exceptwhentodoso
wouldinjurethemorothers.10. Continuedtotakepersonalinventoryandwhenwewerewrong,promptly
admittedit.11. Soughtthroughprayerandmeditationtoimproveourconsciouscontactwith
GodasweunderstoodHim,prayingonlyforknowledgeofHiswillforusandthepowertocarrythatout.
12. HavinghadaspiritualawakeningastheresultoftheseSteps,wetriedtocarrythismessagetocompulsiveovereatersandtopracticetheseprinciplesinallouraffairs.
PermissiontousetheTwelveStepsofAlcoholicsAnonymousforadaptationgrantedbyAAWorldServices,Inc.SpiritualPrinciplesintheTwelveStepsAspiritualPrincipleisassociatedwitheachoftheTwelveSteps.
StepOne:HonestyStepTwo:HopeStepThree:FaithStepFour:CourageStepFive:IntegrityStepSix:WillingnessStepSeven:HumilityStepEight:Self-disciplineStepNine:LoveStepTen:PerseveranceStepEleven:SpiritualAwarenessStepTwelve:Service
TheTwelveTraditionsofOvereatersAnonymous1. Ourcommonwelfareshouldcomefirst;personalrecoverydependsuponOA
unity.2. Forourgrouppurposethereisbutoneultimateauthority—alovingGodas
HemayexpressHimselfinourgroupconscience.Ourleadersarebuttrustedservants;theydonotgovern.
3. TheonlyrequirementforOAmembershipisadesiretostopeatingcompulsively.
4. EachgroupshouldbeautonomousexceptinmattersaffectingothergroupsorOAasawhole.
5. Eachgrouphasbutoneprimarypurpose—tocarryitsmessagetothecompulsiveovereaterwhostillsuffers.
6. AnOAgroupoughtneverendorse,financeorlendtheOAnametoanyrelatedfacilityoroutsideenterprise,lestproblemsofmoney,propertyandprestigedivertusfromourprimarypurpose.
7. EveryOAgroupoughttobefullyself-supporting,decliningoutsidecontributions.
8. OvereatersAnonymousshouldremainforevernon-professional,butourservicecentersmayemployspecialworkers.
9. OA,assuch,oughtneverbeorganized;butwemaycreateserviceboardsorcommitteesdirectlyresponsibletothosetheyserve.
10. OvereatersAnonymoushasnoopiniononoutsideissues;hencetheOAnameoughtneverbedrawnintopubliccontroversy.
11. Ourpublicrelationspolicyisbasedonattractionratherthanpromotion;weneedalwaysmaintainpersonalanonymityatthelevelofpress,radio,films,televisionandotherpublicmediaofcommunication.
12. AnonymityisthespiritualfoundationofalltheseTraditions,everremindingustoplaceprinciplesbeforepersonalities.
PermissiontousetheTwelveTraditionsofAlcoholicsAnonymousforadaptationgrantedbyAAWorldServices,Inc.SpiritualPrinciplesintheTwelveTraditionsAspiritualPrincipleisassociatedwitheachoftheTwelveTraditions.
TraditionOne:UnityTraditionTwo:TrustTraditionThree:IdentityTraditionFour:AutonomyTraditionFive:PurposeTraditionSix:SolidarityTraditionSeven:ResponsibilityTraditionEight:FellowshipTraditionNine:StructureTraditionTen:Neutrality
TraditionEleven:AnonymityTraditionTwelve:Spirituality
TheTwelveConceptsofOAService
1. TheultimateresponsibilityandauthorityforOAworldservicesresideinthecollectiveconscienceofourwholeFellowship.
2. TheOAgroupshavedelegatedtoWorldServiceBusinessConferencetheactivemaintenanceofourworldservices;thus,WorldServiceBusinessConferenceisthevoice,authorityandeffectiveconscienceofOAasawhole.
3. Therightofdecision,basedontrust,makeseffectiveleadershippossible.4. Therightofparticipationensuresequalityofopportunityforallinthe
decision-makingprocess.5. Individualshavetherightofappealandpetitioninordertoensurethattheir
opinionsandpersonalgrievanceswillbecarefullyconsidered.6. TheWorldServiceBusinessConferencehasentrustedtheBoardofTrustees
withtheprimaryresponsibilityfortheadministrationofOvereatersAnonymous.
7. TheBoardofTrusteeshaslegalrightsandresponsibilitiesaccordedtothembyOABylaws,SubpartA;therightsandresponsibilitiesoftheWorldServiceBusinessConferenceareaccordedtoitbyTraditionandbyOABylaws,SubpartB.
8. TheBoardofTrusteeshasdelegatedtoitsExecutiveCommitteetheresponsibilitytoadministertheOAWorldServiceOffice.
9. Able,trustedservants,togetherwithsoundandappropriatemethodsofchoosingthem,areindispensableforeffectivefunctioningatallservicelevels.
10. Serviceresponsibilityisbalancedbycarefullydefinedserviceauthority;therefore,duplicationofeffortsisavoided.
11. TrusteeadministrationoftheWorldServiceOfficeshouldalwaysbeassistedbythebeststandingcommittees,executives,staffsandconsultants.
12. ThespiritualfoundationforOAserviceensuresthat:a. NoOAcommitteeorservicebodyshalleverbecometheseatof
perilouswealthorpower;b. Sufficientoperatingfunds,plusanamplereserve,shallbeOA’s
prudentfinancialprinciple;c. NoOAmembershalleverbeplacedinapositionofunqualified
authority;d. Allimportantdecisionsshallbereachedbydiscussion,voteand,
wheneverpossible,bysubstantialunanimity;e. Noserviceactionshalleverbepersonallypunitiveoranincitementto
publiccontroversy;andf. NoOAservicecommitteeorserviceboardshalleverperformanyacts
ofgovernment,andeachshallalwaysremaindemocraticinthoughtandaction.
SpiritualPrinciplesintheTwelveConceptsAspiritualPrincipleisassociatedwitheachoftheTwelveConcepts.
ConceptOne:UnityConceptTwo:ConscienceConceptThree:TrustConceptFour:EqualityConceptFive:ConsiderationConceptSix:ResponsibilityConceptSeven:BalanceConceptEight:DelegationConceptNine:AbilityConceptTen:ClarityConceptEleven:HumilityConceptTwelve:
Selflessness(b)Realism(c)Representation(d)Dialogue(e)Compassion(f)Respect