I am a completely different person today than when I came into food recovery in 2011. I think I am different on a cellular level. Why? Because I am no longer absorbed in food thoughts.

My life for decades was directed by whether and what to eat. These thoughts occupied many hours each day! But until I came to OA and found the OA-HOW meeting format, I did not notice or see how much time I spent with food. After finding my OA-HOW meeting, I turned over food every morning, and there was no need to ponder the topic because my food was set for the day. My life opened up. Thank you, Higher Power!

After a time, though, I noticed something: the space that had opened in the absence of food thoughts was becoming filled with negative emotions and thoughts. I was unprepared for this deluge, but my sponsor guided me through the Twelve Steps and the daily practice of emotional sobriety.

I had a solution, but to my dismay, my negative thinking persisted. I realized I must practice the Tools daily. I had always deluded myself into thinking I was clear-minded and even-tempered, but through OA and my OA-HOW meeting format, I am changed. I know now that I am very emotional. I see myself as I am, and I address it with God’s help.

Today I know emotional sobriety is a gift from God; for me it is the clearest sign of my recovery. It is a state that comes only with persistent footwork and direction from God. My life in OA has made me deeply aware of this truth: when I am on my own I am flooded with spiritual and emotional drunkenness. It is the core of my addiction.

I am no more a slave to my disease; God frees me to be clean and sober, spiritually and emotionally, if I take God’s direction. It begins with my surrender of my emotions to him, just like my surrender of food. From there, the tools of emotional sobriety center on directions from The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, which guide my daily practice, including self-awareness (Step Ten), prayer (speaking to God), and meditation (silent listening). This is a base that is not optional, so each day I pray for the willingness to do these things.

— Ingrid S., Bronx, New York USA

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