Health and Wellness Community
Do you have patients whose weight is causing health problems?
Could any of your patients benefit from recovery from eating disorders or compulsive food behaviors?
Would you like to offer new hope to patients who continue to suffer?
Overeaters Anonymous may work as a complement to the treatment or advice you offer. OA is modeled after the 12 Step Program of Recovery developed by Alcoholics Anonymous and has been providing support and resources for recovery for more than 50 years.
The Professional Community Courier Newsletter addresses common questions and concerns of healthcare and wellness providers about how OA works. The OA World Service Organization (WSO), which publishes the newsletter, provides additional information and resources about the OA 12 Step Program and OA’s Tools of Recovery, as does the Milwaukee Area Intergroup (OAMAI).
Consider Adding OA to Your Treatment Plans
Overeaters Anonymous, a non-profit organization, offers a spiritual recovery program from the three-fold illness of compulsive eating – physical, emotional and spiritual – that offers members an opportunity to achieve significant changes in their lives that are not possible by traditional treatment plans alone.
The OA program is an anonymous fellowship open to anyone with a desire to stop eating compulsively; there are no dues or fees. OA is open to compulsive eaters of different types, including those with anorexia or bulimia. Our members come in different shapes and sizes. No one is too overweight, too underweight or too normal a weight.
OA does not require nor exclude its members from following a particular food plan. OA does offer acceptance, support and time-proven suggestions for anyone seeking to stop eating compulsively or seeking to stop behaving compulsively around food.
OA has no opinions on any other medical or psychological need and does not compete with the professional community. In contrast, we claim no medical, nutritional or psychological expertise and we suggest that interested members contact qualified professionals for help in these areas.
We hope this glimpse into OA leads you to consider referring to us your patients who may be suffering from compulsive eating behaviors. Many members have reached and maintained a healthy weight by following this program of recovery.
We are willing to meet with you or your patients to discuss the program and our individual experiences along the path of recovery. If you would like to speak with someone about how OA might complement your practice and treatment plans, please email us at info@oamilwaukee.org or for more information, please see:
- Basic information about OA
- Referring professionals – Introducing OA to Healthcare Professionals
- PSAs – Public Service Announcements
More information for yourself, a patient or client
The following pamphlets are particularly helpful to newcomers and those considering OA. These and other OA publications are available from the OA World Service Bookstore. Click below to purchase.
- About OA
What is OA? How do members lose weight? Why is OA “anonymous”? How can I find meetings? Flyer answers these and other questions in an engaging summary. - Is food a problem for you?
Intended for use in libraries, doctors’ offices, public information campaigns, outreach events, and anywhere prospective OA members might see it. Includes the OA Twelve Steps, member testimonials, and general information about OA. - Fifteen questions
Are you a compulsive eater? Answer the questions posed on this flyer to find out. Now updated to reflect the expanded definition of abstinence, it’s a great tool for public information events. - Questions and answers
This 16-page booklet answers questions and offers definitions about everything newcomers, members, professionals and the general public might want to know about OA. - To the teen
Covers a broad range of disease manifestations, including anorexia, bulimia and overeating, in recovery stories written by teenage OA members. Questionnaire helps teens decide if they have a problem with food. - Lifeline
Lifeline is a monthly subscription magazine (available on-line or by mail) and is wonderful reading material for waiting rooms. - Help a patient find a meeting in Eastern Wisconsin
The best way for a patient to get to know OA is to attend one of our meetings. A regularly updated list of meetings can be found here: