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Nassau County Intergroup of Overeaters Anonymous

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE NEWCOMER

These reflections and meditations are designed to acquaint newcomers with the first Three Steps toward recovery. There are no RIGHT or WRONG answers. The idea is to share our experience, strength, and hope as we help newcomers discover their own paths of recovery.

Sponsees need the following materials to complete these questions: Alcoholics Anonymous, Fourth Edition Big Book); The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous (OA Twelve and Twelve); Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition; and the pamphlets: The Tools of Recovery: Helping us Live and Work the Twelve Steps and A New Plan  of Eating: A Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Journey

  1. Read “The Doctor’s Opinion” in the Big Book, xxv. Write a history of your compulsive eating, beginning with the first time you can remember food-related events. Reflect and write about how much weight you’ve gained and lost, what medical attention you’ve sought for the problem, and your attempts at maintaining your weight (losses).
  2. Read pages 3 to the middle of page 5 in the OA Twelve and Twelve. What does being a compulsive eater mean to you? Why did you compulsively eat (and purge)?
  3. In the OA Twelve and Twelve, read Step One, page 4 to the end of the How has your compulsive overeating harmed your life? List at least five ways.
  4. Reread “The Doctor’s Opinion” in the Big Book, p.xxv.  Write about the phenomenon of craving in your life.
  5. In the OA Twelve and Twelve, reread page 6, How has your life been filled with “if only’s”?
  6. Read Step One in the OA Twelve and Twelve, pp.3-7. Write about the idea that “denial of the truth leads to destruction.”  How does an honest admission of your eating behaviors lead you to being relieved of destructive eating.
  7. Read chapter 2, “There Is a Solution” in the Big Book, pp.17-29. Reflect and write about the idea that your honesty and discipline, or the lack thereof, have played an important part in your
  8. Read chapter 3,”More About Alcoholism”, in the Big Book, pp.30-43. Reflect and write about the progressive nature of the disease. Do you truly see yourself as having reached a point where you cannot stop your compulsion even when you want to?
  9. Reread Step One in the OA Twelve and Twelve, 3-7. Reflect and write about the idea that sometimes your willpower is too strong and, at the same time, not strong enough.
  10. Reread Step One in the OA Twelve and Twelve, pp.3-7.  Reflect and write about what the knowledge of Step One can do for you. During your reading, note words and passages that are meaningful to you. Why are they important?
  11. Read Step Two in the OA Twelve and Twelve, 9-17. How is taking Step One necessary before taking Step Two?
  12. Read pages 9 to page 15 second paragraph in the OA Twelve and Twelve. Reflect and write about the concept of insanity as it applies to us in OA.
  13. Read chapter 4, “We Agnostics;” in the Big Book, pp.44-57. Reflect and write about the concepts of willingness, honesty, and open mindedness.
  14. Read pages 12 to the end of Step Two in the OA Twelve and Twelve. Reflect and write about the differences between religion and spirituality Describe what you mean by a power greater than yourself.
  15. Read chapter 40, “No More Store Hopping;” in Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition ,pp.183-185. Write about the definition of insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Give examples of your own insanity in this regard.
  16. Read Step Three in the OA Twelve and Twelve. Are you willing to go to any length to maintain your abstinence? What actions have you taken so far?
  17. Read pages 17 to the second paragraph on Page 22 in the OA Twelve and Twelve. Reflect and write about your abstinence.  Do you view your food compulsion the way an AA member views his or her alcohol compulsion? When will you be cured?
  18. Read chapter 5,”How It Works;’ in the Big Book, pp.58-71. Reread pages 58 to 63. The most effective way of living an abstinent life is to follow the OA Principles and Steps. Write on the statement,” half measures availed us nothing:’
  19. Read the pamphlet A Plan of Eating. Reflect and write about the idea that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
  20. Read the pamphlet The Tools of Recovery. What is the importance of giving service in OA? What is the importance of meetings? How are they both part of the road to recovery?
  21. Read Telephone and Anonymity in the pamphlet The Tools of Recovery. What is the importance of these Tools and how are they intertwined?
  22. Read Literature and Writing in the pamphlet The Tools of Recovery. Reflect and write about these Tools. Why are they essential to our recovery?
  23. Read Action Plan in the pamphlet The Tools of In what ways can you incorporate an action plan into your daily program?
  24. Read Step Three in the OA Twelve and Twelve. How do you learn to turn your will over to your Higher Power?
  25. Read the personal story “Spiritual Experience” in the Big Book, pp. 567-568. Reflect and write about the past month.  How have your thinking and behavior changed?  Have others noticed a change?
  26. Read chapter 8, “Seeking and Finding a Power to Live By;’ in Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition, 49-52. Write about which Steps were (or are) necessary for you to accept a power greater than yourself in your life
  27. Read chapter 33, “My Doctor Insisted” in Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition, pp. 155-158. Give some examples of “spiritual awakenings” that you have experienced. 
  28. Read chapter 39, “A Bad Case of Denial” in Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition, pp. 179-182. How have you experienced denial in your life as a compulsive eater?  What actions are you taking toward becoming more honest with yourself?
  29. Reread Step Three in the OA Twelve and Twelve. Write on the idea that, having taken Steps One and Two, the degree of our success in the whole program depends on how far we take Step Three.
  30. Reread Step One in the OA Twelve and Twelve, 3-7. Then read Appendix C, “A Disease of the Body:” in Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition, pp.198-204.  Write about your own personal surrender.  Make a sincere commitment to turn your will and your life over to the care of your Higher Power.
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