Battling Binge Eating: Finding Continued Support Through Overeaters Anonymous

Though research has not yet been able to pinpoint a specific origin for this disorder, it has been linked in many studies to other psychological and mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and impulse control issues—even genetics are also thought to play a role. The type of brain dysfunctionseen in compulsive overeaters is also seen in those who struggle with drugs and substance abuse, and, just like any other addiction, it must be treated professionally and comprehensively to attend to both the mind and the body.

A deep embarrassment over the inability to control one’s food intake—something our culture focuses on through fad diets, unobtainable and irresponsible expectations of beauty, and seeking unconditional love—can also cause sufferers to binge eat alone and in secret. This can perpetuate any already-existent depression or shame, thus deepening the need for a treatment program that focuses both on the emotional and physical aspects of this disorder.

Residual, difficult emotions surrounding your food addiction and any co-occurring mental health issues may linger post-treatment, but you can succeed in managing your disorder by finding support systems and communities of people—both personal and professional—who can give you the strength and steps to build a healthier life.

Overeaters Anonymous—a classic twelve-step program designed precisely for those who struggle with disorders related to food—is a great way to bolster your post-treatment life and receive continued support from peers and professionals. Whatever residential treatment program you attend will likely encourage you to attend OA meetings during and after treatment. OA, like other twelve-step programs, abides by a theory of abstinence from the substance that you struggle with. Because we need food to survive (unlike drugs or alcohol), this program is not based on a rejection of food on the whole, but rather focuses on fostering your ability to make healthy food choices and understand better the foods which cause you to overeat. These foods tend to be high in fat and sugar because these nutrients share the same neural pathway for behavior reinforcement as dopamine—thus releasing a great deal of this “feel good” chemical into your brain.

Sometimes, individuals going through an Overeaters Anonymous program can find themselves restricting what they eat to an unhealthy and dangerous degree—increasing the potential risk for bingeing and relapse in the future. This tends to happen because positive changes as seen in the eyes of the struggling individual (weight loss, compliments) are noticed and make him or her chemically addicted to those good feelings (dopamine), or because the fear of returning to prior habits and weight turns into unmanageable anxiety.

Because the OA program as a whole knows how difficult building a new, healthy relationship with food can be, there are many varied ways it can lend continued support on your journey. Aside from meetings, an individualized Plan of Eating is developed, helping you to make quality, informed choices about your diet. Writing tasks inside and outside of meetings can help you repair your relationship to yourself, along with selected books and texts to inspire you throughout the process. A personal action plan is created to help you develop habits that coalign with your goals and management of your disorder. Though uncomfortable for some, cultivating friendships and relationships with OA peers outside of meetings can also give you support and love when you need it most.