“ABA Spoken Here” Card

22 June 2015

Like all 12-Step Fellowships, ABA uses a “we” program, and our unity is our most precious attribute. The message we carry to the anorexic or bulimic who still suffers must be simple and clear to avoid confusing anyone or blurring the unique nature of ABA.

ABA is not a “food fellowship” and we are not addicted to food. Our drug is the feeling of being in control of our food or body weight or shape. We can be sober only by surrendering this feeling of control over our food, exercise, weight and shape to a Higher Power. This Power works through other human beings to provide us with “meal support” and support to let go of exercise and of knowing what our weight is. This physical sobriety is the essential foundation for recovery from anorexia and bulimia.

There are many concepts and terms which don’t fit with our approach and which obscure the unique message of ABA. Examples include “food addiction,” “abstinence,” a common meal plan, “trigger foods,” “binge foods,” “bad” or “good” or “unsafe” or “safe” foods, “food sponsor,” “sugar allergy,” weighing and measuring food, diet plans, calorie-counting, weight-monitoring, and food journals. These ideas do not belong in ABA meetings.

In keeping with our 12 Traditions we also ask people to refrain from referring to specific treatment programs, your professional status, all religions, other philosophies, literature not endorsed by ABA, other 12-Step programs, and all outside issues.

Keep the focus on our program please!