Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr I remember my last binge very clearly. I called my local OA office that night, and I will never forget the woman I spoke to and how glad I was to speak to an actual person. A few days later, she took me to my first meeting. Since that day (more than ten years ago), through the grace of God, OA, and the Twelve Steps, I haven’t had to turn to bingeing, purging, or starving. My life has gotten much bigger, and I am grateful. My life depends on working my program, so I do not want to go one day without OA. I value my sanity, and I know recovery comes from my HP and the Fellowship. My hope is more people discover OA, so I do my best to contribute at meetings and make annual donations. OA suggests at least three dollars per meeting. When I look back at my binge and think about the progressive nature of the disease, that seems like a small price to pay. Before OA, I spent a lot of money on my food addiction. I went to any length for my fix. I spent money and time on: expensive diet shakes, bars, and meal plans (yuck—talk about insanity) fast food convenience store visits sweet treats (even gourmet because no price was too high for my cravings) eating out for lunch at work, even when I’d brought mine from home diet sodas (I needed to have one in my hand nearly all the time) gum and mints (I needed these if I wasn’t drinking diet soda or eating) laxatives diet pills workout equipment, gym memberships, and personal training sessions (which I had to cancel because I was too sick from bingeing) health care (I ended up in the emergency room because of bingeing and purging) clothes in several sizes Life is different now. Program requires me to open my heart and spirit to an entirely new way of living, and it’s beyond my wildest dreams. I no longer need to spend my money on my disease, so I want to share it with OA so others can recover. The World Service Office, our regions, and our intergroups help carry the message to those who still suffer, so I need to pass on what has been so freely given to me. Money is much like recovery—we can’t keep it unless we also share it with others. For today, I am choosing to keep the flow of recovery moving on all levels! — Lisa B., St. Louis, Missouri USA