Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat?

Many people have resorted to desperate measures to control their weight and the way
they relate to food. They’ve tried expensive diets, surgery, medications, excessive
exercise, purging, extreme food restriction—all to no avail. Others don’t know where to
turn or have just given up hope. Fortunately, thousands of people have found a free,
effective, long-term solution in Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA).

FA is an international, non-profit recovery program modelled on the principles of
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Food addicts have a relationship with food that parallels an
alcoholic’s relationship with alcohol. Food addiction can manifest in a variety of ways,
including overeating, under-eating, purging, over-exercise, abuse of laxatives, or painful
obsession with body image. No amount of willpower can lead the food addict to normal
eating or sane attitudes around food and weight.

As one Queensland member puts it, “I’ve kept approximately 75 kg (165 pounds) off my
body for over 13 years. I couldn’t keep it off for 13 days before joining FA. I would try to
control my food, feel like I was having some success, pick up one piece of chocolate,
and then wouldn’t be able to stop eating sweets. After that, I’d start putting it all back on
and then some.”

Another long-term member describes years of binging and purging: “I used to tell myself
I could eat whatever I wanted because I could always throw it back up, but the more I
ate, the more food I needed. I just thought this was something that everyone needed to
do to keep weight off. I never thought I would get relief from my horrific obsession with
food until I found FA.”

Many members come into FA desperate for help, after multiple failed attempts to
control their weight. One Gold Coast member says “For as long as I can remember I
have been overweight or obese. I was never able to keep weight off and I was filled with
shame. I had lost hope. Luckily, I was introduced to FA by a friend, where I immediately
found a solution and haven’t looked back since. In FA, I have lost and maintained a 50
kg weight loss for over 4 years and am free of my mental obsession with food. I have also
gained a group of supportive friends and best of all, it’s free!

FA understands food addiction as a physical, mental, and spiritual disease, and
addresses these three dimensions with a structured, balanced food plan, daily help
from a sponsor and fellow members, and ongoing support in working the Twelve Steps
of AA as adapted for food addiction. Many members have maintained appropriate
weights and healthy ways of eating for over 30 years.

People come to FA for a variety of reasons. Some are seeking help with weight-related
health problems. A Gold Coast member explains, “I was well and truly obese at 105.5
kilograms (232.5 pounds) with tail bone pane, joint problems, acid reflux and heartburn.
I also suffered from severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Since coming to FA nearly
6 years ago, I have lost 40 kilograms (88 pounds) and have maintained a healthy weight
for more than 5 years. The best part though, is that I no longer suffer from any of those
physical ailments, and not only have I been free of depression and suicidal thoughts for
nearly 6 years, my life is now one that is full of joy and happiness.”

Many come to FA for relief from the self-loathing and unhappiness that accompanied
their obsession with food or body size. Another long-term local member says, “I’m so
glad I found my way to Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA). I lost all my excess
weight and have had the same slender figure for 20 years now. The constant restricting
of my food, excessive exercising and then binging cycle I was in for all of my teens
through to my late 40’s never worked. I was always going up and down in weight and
getting heavier with each upswing. I’m now sensibly active and super healthy, even
learning how to surf in my 60’s. I can’t believe I am soon approaching 70. I certainly
don’t feel it!”

People struggling with food addiction never need to feel alone again. Whether trying to
lose 100 kg, needing to gain weight, or feeling tormented by obsession with body size,
they can find help, hope, and a long-term solution in FA. There are now over 300 FA
meetings worldwide, including nearly 200 videoconference and telephone meetings and
a local face to face meeting in Coolangatta, Queensland on Monday night at 6.30pm –
8.00pm AEST (QLD time). FA is holding a special online introductory meeting via
Zoom in March 2025 that is open to anyone interested in finding out more about FA:

Meeting Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
Meeting Time: 9.30am to 11.00am AEST (QLD Time)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3517560486?pwd=8ZCavqbzRNWb1GbQ7egIJRlUbPfaL0.1
&omn=86557966722
Meeting ID: 351 756 0486
Passcode: 121212


To locate other FA meetings or for more information about FA or this Online Information
Session, visit www.foodaddicts.org, call 1800 717 446 or call or text an Australian
member, Alicia on 0415-114-023.