Diversity Fellowship Young People in OA By kmcguire@oa.org Posted on September 1, 2020 4 min read 0 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr I am a mother of a 14-year-old boy who I think may be a food addict. In going through the questions on your website, he answered yes to twelve of the Fifteen Questions. I would really appreciate if you could send me more information about the meetings you hold, and whether you think they will be suitable for us. Overeaters Anonymous is a Twelve Step program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. For OA members, our problem substance is food, and the behavior is compulsive eating. The only requirement for membership in OA is a desire to stop eating compulsively. You can find information on our website at oa.org/young-people. We also have a pamphlet about how you can support your son called To the Family of the Compulsive Eater (#240), available from the OA bookstore at bookstore.oa.org. Additionally, we have a young persons’ social media page at facebook.com/OAinfo and a young persons’ phone meeting. In most OA meetings, you will find a room of adults. There are very few meetings designed especially for teens. In meetings, members will share about their disease and the solution they have found in OA. You will be welcomed regardless of your age. We suggest that anyone under 18 be accompanied by a parent or other adult. Parent or guardian attendance in the meeting room itself is not necessary. We do suggest that online meetings are available. You can find meetings by going to oa.org and clicking “Find a Meeting.” The World Service Office can send you a packet that includes OA information for teens and newcomers. Please provide us with your name and mailing address and we can get that out to you. You can also buy additional literature online at bookstore.oa.org or at OA meetings in your area. Introductory items particularly helpful for newcomers and teens are: Where Do I Start? pamphlet To the Teen pamphlet The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition The Twelve Step Workbook of Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition Alcoholics Anonymous (commonly called the Big Book) — Members of the Board of Trustees provide answers to Ask-It Basket questions
