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Outreaching OA tools such as phone calls to other members and the time spent writing, reading or meditating about personal thoughts and feelings might prevent the elaboration of intrusive thoughts which could lead to relapse. This theory has been used in clinical settings (May et al., 2014) to prevent the elaboration of food-thoughts in overweight individuals (Rodríguez-Martín et al., 2013a) as well as to support healthy eating in women with anorexia nervosa (Cardi et al., 2012). The Elaborated Intrusion Theory of Desires 2 offers a framework that made a distinction between intrusive thoughts, and their elaboration (Kavanagh et al., 2005 May et al., 2012).
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Thus, dealing with both intrusive thoughts and cravings seem essential to keep abstinent in recovery. In addition, food and body weight/shape related thoughts may play an important role in the maintenance of unhealthy eating behaviors (Rodríguez-Martín et al., 2015). The current article aims to examine the core concepts of OA fellowship and its implication in clinical practice to support an ongoing recovery from perceived food addiction.ĭealing with food cravings and body/weight concernsįood cravings are directly related to the failure of suppressing excessive food intake among compulsive overeaters (Rodríguez-Martín and Meule, 2015). Finally, it has been observed that attendance at meetings and the use of other tools in individuals with addictive-like eating behaviors show some benefits (Malenbaum et al., 1988 Westphal and Smith, 1996 Kriz, 2002), but studies with regard to their effectiveness remain scarce (Schulte et al., 2015). OA also recommends a set of tools in order to overcome PFA (Russell-Mayhew et al., 2010). According to the 12-step program any eating-related problem is regarded as a physical, emotional, and spiritual disorder (Hertz et al., 2012). OA has applied the addictive-like eating framework for decades to help members achieve recovery. Pharmacological interventions, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT), interpersonal and other non-specific supportive therapies are the most recommended treatments for individuals with eating disorders (Linardon et al., 2017).
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Therefore, eating disorders may be common amongst OA members (von Ranson et al., 2011). Moreover, overeating, restraint, fasting and purging are perceived as both chronic compulsions (despite their negative consequences) and relapsing disorders 1. They also share numerous failed attempts to overcome this problem (Russell-Mayhew et al., 2010). OA members share an abnormal relationship with food. Because of this, the core concept of this article is perceived food addiction (PFA) rather than an objective and clinically accepted definition of food addiction. Furthermore, there is no consensus regarding whether addictive-like eating should be conceptualized as a substance-related (Schulte et al., 2015) or a behavioral addiction (Hebebrand et al., 2014). However, the concept of food addiction is highly controversial (Meule, 2015). Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is a 12-step mutual help group founded in 1960 to support individuals who perceive themselves as food addicts (Suler and Barthelomew, 1986). You can use the form on the Contact Us page or email for more information.The notion that overeating can be an addictive behavior has been accepted by many individuals who suffer from this problem.
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We encourage you to contact us to ask questions, get involved, and heal your body, mind, and soul. For group safety, we do not post meeting links publicly, but you see the list of current meetings here. The SCAA Fellowship meets online via Zoom. Our program is meant to be suggestive only. SCAA is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by Alcoholics Anonymous, but we choose to use the Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), AA literature, and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions to guide us in our recovery from our sugar and carb addiction. We don’t prescribe or endorse any specific food plan or way of eating. SCAA’s approach uses the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to gain and maintain abstinence over sugar and undesirable carbs. SCAA has no weighing and measuring requirements or forced agendas. We want to help you find what works best for you on your road to recovery. Sugar & Carb Addicts Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from their eating disorders.