How OA Changed My Life Recovery Denial, Defiance, Desperation, Destiny I came into OA in 1994. I got a sponsor at my second meeting, went to three meetings per week, and had the great fortune of being “struck abstinent” within my first two weeks. I began working the Steps and had two years of good solid abstinence. That’s when I thought to myself, “I got this.” I have since learned … Read More
Relapse Relapse & Recovery One Thing I Did Right I’m sorry to say I’ve had many relapses during my twenty-two years in program. But the last five years have been much better: back-to-back abstinence based on putting together a program that uses all the OA elements. My program reminds me of my first relapse, how I got into it and how I got out. I had come into OA … Read More
Recovery Working the Program Walking Through It When I joined OA in 1977, our program was seventeen years old, and I wasn’t much older. In those days, the only food plan was the gray sheet, a fairly restrictive but useful way to eat. I had no idea how much to eat of what, until a practical food plan gave me a map. I called in my food every day … Read More
Keep Coming Back Relapse Balance in Program The week before Unity Day, I made a commitment to call three people whom I had not seen in many months. I left three messages, and one called me back. She was happy to hear my voice, but said, “I just cannot stand to do all the work this program requires: the prep, planning, shopping, and precooking, and the reading … Read More
Keep Coming Back Relapse Skipped a Step OA is a Twelve Step program, and working the Steps is really the heart of our program. When I arrived in OA, I was somewhat familiar with Twelve Step programs. Most important, I saw program giving people peace of mind and sanity in their lives. I sometimes say I took Step Two before I walked in the door because I … Read More
Relapse Twelfth Step Within Packet Project Assemble Twelfth Step Within packets to give to struggling members! Place these packets on your literature table or hand them out at a Twelfth Step Within event. The packets might include: A current list of local OA meetings with contact names and telephone numbers A list of names and phone numbers of those willing to sponsor A list of names … Read More
Relapse Twelfth Step Within Twelfth Step Within Works In 1985, it took a strong, concerted effort to get World Service Business Conference to accept some Twelfth Step Within suggestions from a group of women from Region Two. These members fought for five years for something they believed in: the need to “carry the message to those already in program,” to members who were still struggling, maybe people whose … Read More
Keep Coming Back Relapse Going to Any Length I started attending a Monday night OA meeting but found myself struggling with abstinence. A weekly meeting didn’t seem to be enough. Then I found a meeting that met Monday through Friday at 7 a.m., 22 miles (35 km) from my home, and I started traveling to these daily meetings. I’ve learned that if you want continuous recovery from any … Read More
Higher Power Spirituality Energy, Plain and Simple I first set foot in an OA meeting eleven years ago, but until lately, I had been unable to attain long-term recovery. Why? I couldn’t find a Power greater than myself. Lack of a Higher Power kept me sick much longer than necessary. I made desperate attempts, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t bring myself to believe anything outside myself … Read More
Keep Coming Back Relapse Seeing the Light Coming back to OA for the third time in over thirty years, I’m aware that one of the main things that gets in the way of my recovery is perfectionism. At times, my lack of “being perfect” can lead me to want to give up. What helps me accept myself as I am is remembering that only my Higher Power … Read More
