A Catholic Approach to Overcoming Compulsive Eating Behaviors

Module 2 of 6

Day 2 - Fellowships Available to Those with a Food Addiction

PRAY

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.

Taking, as He did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.

Trusting that He will make all things right,
if I surrender to His will.

That I may be reasonably happy in this life,
and supremely happy with Him forever
in the next. Amen.

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you one area of your heart that needs healing today.

Repeat this prayer slowly: Lord, grant me humility to see myself as You see me.

REFLECT

Reflect on the following questions. It’s recommended that you write these down in a journal. You might also want to share them with your sponsor, your fellows in recovery, or others who share your faith.

There are many options to find healing when it comes to your food-related 12-step fellowships. Of the options below, which one do you feel best captures your unhealthy attachment to food and eating?

Overeaters Anonymous (OA) - This fellowship works the Twelve Steps around abstinence, meaning members abstain completely from their unwanted food behaviors, such as eating beyond a certain measured amount or eating certain foods (desserts, etc.).

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) - This fellowship identifies flour and sugar as specifically addictive food ingredients.

Sugar and Carbs Addicts Anonymous - This fellowship narrows the focus to foods that are specifically high in both simple sugars and complex carbohydrates.

Eating Disorders Anonymous (ED) - This fellowship encourages what members describe as balance rather than abstinence. They strive to live without obsessing over body image, weight, or food, including focusing on identifying trigger foods.

If you’ve attended or are attending secular fellowships, reflect on how you have seen “God’s face” in their midst. If you haven’t, reflect on what is keeping you back from trying one.
Is something holding you back from embracing recovery in general, be that through CIR, secular 12-step groups, or both? If so, prayerfully reflect on how you might find the grace to take the right next step toward your recovery.