+1 (587) 557-2167 (no texts)
About Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous
Grounded in compassion and understanding, ABA brings together individuals who support one another in finding freedom from eating disorders and building lives rooted in hope, connection, and ongoing recovery.
Who We Are
Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous (ABA) is a worldwide Fellowship of individuals who share a common purpose: to find and maintain recovery from anorexia, bulimia, and related eating disorders, and to help others do the same.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop unhealthy eating practices. There are no dues or fees for membership. ABA is fully self-supporting through the voluntary contributions of its members.
ABA is not affiliated with any other organization or institution, and it is not allied with any religion, medical system, or treatment model. Our program is based on shared experience, mutual support, and the principles of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
Who We Are Not
ABA is a non professional organization. It does not provide therapy, counseling, or medical treatment, and it is not intended to replace professional care.
Eating disorders are serious and potentially life threatening conditions. We strongly encourage members to seek support from qualified and knowledgeable health care professionals for medical and therapeutic needs. ABA exists to support recovery in the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of these disorders through shared experience and fellowship.
.jpg)
Our Recovery Program
ABA uses the Twelve Step program adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous to address the mental, emotional, and spiritual components of anorexia and bulimia.
Through working the Twelve Steps, many members experience freedom from obsessive thoughts around food, weight, body shape, and exercise. In ABA, we come to understand our eating disorders as a form of addiction and recognize that recovery is not something we can achieve alone.
Members find guidance, accountability, and compassionate support from others who have gone before them in recovery. Each person is free to understand a Higher Power in their own way. This spiritual foundation supports physical sobriety in eating and exercise, while fostering emotional and mental healing over time.
Individuals who identify compulsive overeating as part of their eating disorder have also found recovery through ABA and are welcome to participate in the Fellowship. If you would like to learn more about how ABA understands and addresses compulsive overeating, please see our document ABA For the Compulsive Eater.
How ABA Is Structured
ABA is guided by a service structure designed to protect the unity, integrity, and primary purpose of the Fellowship. Unlike traditional organizations, ABA operates on a principle of shared responsibility and group conscience.
In ABA, the Fellowship itself is the highest authority.
The General Service Association
The General Service Association of Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous is a legally incorporated Board of Directors that exists solely to serve the Fellowship of ABA worldwide.
The GSA is not a governing body. It functions as a service board, responsible for matters of policy, finance, and legal responsibility that affect ABA as a whole. Its role is to support the Fellowship while adhering to ABA’s Twelve Traditions and the collective group conscience.
All GSA members are elected by the Fellowship at the Annual General Meeting and serve finite terms as outlined in the bylaws. The GSA operates in accordance with provincial regulations and is accountable to the Fellowship it serves.
General Service Representatives
General Service Representatives, often referred to as GSRs, are the vital link between individual ABA meetings and the wider Fellowship.
GSRs are elected by their home groups and together form a freestanding body that represents the collective conscience of ABA worldwide. Their role is to ensure two way communication between members and the General Service Association and to guide world service efforts in alignment with ABA’s primary purpose.
This structure ensures that the voice of the Fellowship remains central and that service decisions reflect the lived experience and needs of members.
Committees and Service Opportunities
Much of the day to day work of supporting ABA happens through service Committees. These Committees focus on areas such as public information, literature, self support, outreach, conferences, and maintaining the website and general service office.
Committee members are volunteers from the Fellowship who offer their time and experience in service to others. Sobriety requirements and time commitments vary by Committee, reflecting the nature of the work involved.
Service in ABA is voluntary, supported by spiritual principles rather than obligation. Many members find that participating in service deepens their recovery and strengthens their connection to the Fellowship.
Service as a Path to Recovery
Service is a cornerstone of ABA. Whether through sponsorship, committee work, serving as a GSR, or being available to support newcomers, service helps carry the message of recovery to those who are still suffering.
ABA remains self-supporting and Fellowship driven because of members who step forward to serve. Every role exists to support recovery, unity, and accessibility for anorexics and bulimics around the world.
.jpg)
We're Here to Help
If you’re not sure where to begin or need more information about our work, feel free to reach out. We’re glad you’re here. A member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
.png)