For Health Care Professionals

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="060fd5a3.jpg"> <div> <B>Overeaters Anonymous of Western Massachusetts</B><B> </B></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=28.125% BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Overeaters Anonymous of Western Massachu">Home</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar">Calendar</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meeting List">Meeting List</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="OA Information">OA Information</A></div> <div> <A HREF="communication_umbrella_commi.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Communication Umbrella Committee Informa">Communication Umbrella Committee Information</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Thoughts for Today and Tomorrow">Thoughts for Today and Tomorrow</A></div> <div> <A HREF="for_media_professionals.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="For Media Professionals">For Media Professionals</A></div> <div> For Health Care Professionals</div> <div> <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Intergroup Monthly Minutes">Intergroup Monthly Minutes</A></div> <div> <A HREF="wmi_bylaws.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WMI Bylaws">WMI Bylaws</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lifeline Magazine">Lifeline Magazine</A></div> <div> <A HREF="files_to_dowload.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Files To Download">Files To Download</A></div> <div> <A HREF="recovery_lines.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recovery Lines">Recovery Lines</A></div> <div> <A HREF="hard_and_soft_liturature_for.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hard and Soft Literature for Sale">Hard and Soft Literature for Sale</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us">Contact Us</A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I><B>For Health Care Professionals</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Why Should You Refer a Patient to OA?</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1b196cf0.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="207" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="15" VSPACE="0">Despite being a family physician and knowing better, I was an out-of-control, compulsive overeater until four days after my 33rd birthday. I was 60 pounds overweight. I had tried exercise and commercial diet clubs through the years, finding exercise more effective, but the weight always came back. By the time I searched for Overeaters Anonymous on the Internet, I had diagnosed myself as a food addict.</div> <div> I didn’t know what a Twelve-Step program would be like. On the way to my first meeting, I left home stuffing my face with a triple dose of food I no longer eat. Though I didn’t know what I would find in OA, I knew it was for me — a person in the process of admitting I was powerless over food and my life had become unmanageable.</div> <bR> <div> I exhibited physical signs of the disease, though I was not morbidly obese. I had my gallbladder removed at age 29 and had difficulty breathing and sleeping. My doctors diagnosed me with major depression.</div> <bR> <div> I was a stay-at-home mom, but I now see that choice as a desire to be with my drug — food. My self-esteem was low, and I didn’t think I was up to being a doctor, despite doing well in my training.</div> <bR> <div> I awoke every morning hating life, unable to comprehend the word serenity. OA is a miracle because I now love life, people and myself, and I feel peaceful most of the time. I have moved to a new house in a new town, made many friends in and out of OA and lost 60 pounds. My husband and I just opened a family practice together.</div> <bR> <div> I believe OA worked for me because the program treats food as an addiction, or at least a compulsion. I am like an alcoholic. I will always have an abnormal desire to overeat. The only way I can recover is through a spiritual experience, and I must keep coming to OA and doing the things that resulted in my weight loss. I use all the OA tools: meetings, sponsorship, service, writing, literature, the telephone and a food plan. The food plan is only part of our program; without the Twelve Steps, I believe I would not have achieved my wonderful recovery from compulsive eating. Most of the time I don’t fight cravings. I just don’t have them!</div> <bR> <div> If you are a professional and work with clients who are struggling with food, please refer them to OA. I believe a person can be addicted to food. If someone tries to lose weight and cannot do it alone, that person is likely a compulsive overeater. I used to walk into the coffee shop thinking, “Just order coffee; just order coffee.” As I would approach the counter, my compulsion would take over: “Hi, I’ll have the chocolate-covered graham crackers.” I will never forget the night before an OA meeting when I did just order coffee. I could not have done that on my own. A power other than myself, a Higher Power, helped me.</div> <bR> <div> This Higher Power is the source of the changes in me since I found OA two years ago. I am a better person now. My relationships with everyone are better. Before OA I was pessimistic. Now people describe me as an optimist! I used to feel happy when something good happened and depressed when something bad happened; it was quite a roller-coaster ride. Now I take more in stride and have less worry and more peace.</div> <bR> <div> I find deep joy in sharing my OA experience with anyone who asks, including my patients. I often show my patients a picture of me when I was obese so they don’t think some skinny doctor who knows nothing of struggles with food is telling them how to lose weight.</div> <bR> <div> My obese patients fall into two categories. Those in the first group are in denial and have not taken the first Step. They attempt to convince me it is a mystery why they are obese, as if the air has calories. “I really don’t eat very much,” they insist.</div> <div> The patients in the second group admit they feel like alcoholics with food and can’t stop themselves. Yesterday, a patient said he knew that if he had “the surgery,” he would gain all the weight back. It is the second group I refer to OA. For those who are ready, OA is ready to welcome them. I know OA members who have been able to throw away all their medications for diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension.</div> <bR> <div> I am grateful to work in a profession where I see patient after patient whose obesity is a direct cause of multiple health problems. These patients helped me out of denial and into OA, where my life changed drastically for the better. For today, at least, I don’t have health problems, and I don’t see them in my future.</div> <bR> <div> — <I>Anonymous</I> </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="dear"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Dear Doctor</B></FONT></div> <div> I am writing to tell you how my life has changed since I last saw you. At that time I weighed 218 pounds, felt miserable and looked terrible. Something had to change, so I joined Overeaters Anonymous. When I went to my first meeting, I thought, “Here I go again; another diet program.”</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1b282880.jpg" border=0 width="130" height="136" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="15" VSPACE="0">Boy, was I wrong! OA is a Twelve-Step program based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. OA has its own literature and also uses the AA Big Book (<I>Alcoholics Anonymous</I>, 4th ed.). To help their recoveries, OA members choose other members as sponsors. OA has no diet plan, but members determine their appropriate eating plans by consulting their doctors, nutritionists and the OA pamphlet <I>Dignity of Choice</I>, which contains sample plans of eating.</div> <bR> <div> OA is a three-fold program emphasizing physical, emotional and spiritual recovery. Members determine for themselves why they eat compulsively and how they can turn their lives around with the help of a sponsor.</div> <bR> <div> I have been working the Steps every day. Now I realize the wrongs I have done throughout my life and look for guidance to correct them. Since joining OA, I have not had a problem with food. It is no longer the most important thing in my life, and I have lost more than 23 pounds. Because I feel better about myself, I have been able to decrease my medications. Some days I feel a little down, but I no longer have severe depression and anxiety. I am learning to deal with life one day at a time. I have also found my way back to God, having lost faith when my best friend died many years ago. You were right when you told my husband I was my own worst enemy. I can see that now, thanks to OA.</div> <bR> <div> I recommend this program for those who have a weight problem or who just want to straighten out their lives. I hope you will pass this information on to your patients seeking help with compulsive overeating.</div> <bR> <div> — <I>OA Member, Ocala, Florida USA</I> </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="professional"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Keep It Professional</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1b396a20.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="162" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="15" VSPACE="0">I am a registered nurse who visits people in their homes to give them prescribed treatments. I am also a member of Overeaters Anonymous. I joined OA more than two years ago, and during that time I have learned of the great need among my patients for the OA program.</div> <div> I carry the OA message to my patients as a professional third party. I love the OA program and share the story of my recovery with others. However, I have discovered that telling patients I am a member of OA gets in the way of my job. One of the pitfalls of making it personal is that patients may feel a need to explain why they haven’t been to an OA meeting. Now I simply give them the information to connect with OA along with a testimonial story I have heard from another member. That is my guilt-free solution.</div> <div> — <I>Anonymous</I> </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="strength"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Practice for Life</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1b48cb20.jpg" border=0 width="140" height="178" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="15" VSPACE="0">I have attended OA meetings for a year.</div> <div> I have read that OA meetings are practice for the real world. How true! For four years I have been in psychotherapy dealing with boundary issues. During the past year, OA has done more to help me establish healthier boundaries than talking about it in therapy had accomplished in the previous three years.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> My psychologist suggested I attend an OA meeting. She believes in the connection between mental and physical health. Thank God I listened to her. My growth has been phenomenal, and I have changed drastically in a short time.</div> <div> Thanks to the OA meetings, I feel I am on the right path. I last saw my nutritionist a month ago when I finally committed to exercising more and following a healthy meal plan. My health-care professionals say I have grown emotionally. Spiritually, I feel God is more active in my life now than ever before.</div> <div> My attitude toward my family has become healthier and more mature. I am dedicated to loving myself and maintaining my boundaries. Living as a healthy person with people who love, accept and understand me unconditionally is rare and beautiful.</div> <div> Thank God I came to OA, and thank God for all the OA members who have helped me.</div> <div> — <I>G.K., Northbrook, Illinois USA </I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="pamphlets"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Pamphlets for Professionals</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Introducing OA to Health Care Professionals </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >— Explains how OA complements professional care. Includes a questionnaire for clients and patients about eating behaviors. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>OA Is Not A Diet Club</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" > — Describes what OA is and what it is not, and reviews why the OA approach works. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Treatment and Beyond</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" > — Explains OA’s recovery program and eases the transition from treatment center to OA meeting. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Fifteen Questions </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >— Helps your client decide if he or she is a compulsive overeater. </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="hear"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>We Want to Hear from You!</B></FONT></div> <div> Please let us know how we can better inform you about OA's Twelve-Step program. Please print the form below, fill it out, and return it to:</div> <bR> <div> Western Massachusetts Intergroup of Overeaters Anonymous</div> <div> Attn: Professional Outreach Coordinator</div> <div> Post Office Box 2911</div> <div> Springfield, Massachusetts 01115 - 2911</div> <bR> <div> ___ Send me a Professional Kit with detailed information about your program.</div> <bR> <div> ___ Send me two free issues of <I>Lifeline,</I> your recovery magazine.</div> <bR> <div> ___ Let me know about OA members in my area who could speak to professional groups. </div> <bR> <div> Name ________________________________________</div> <bR> <div> Company/Organization __________________________</div> <bR> <div> Address ______________________________________</div> <bR> <div> City __________________________________________</div> <bR> <div> State/Province _________________________________</div> <bR> <div> Zip ____________</div> <bR> <div> Country _______________________________________</div> <bR> <div> Have you ever referred a patient/client to OA?</div> <bR> <div> ___ yes</div> <bR> <div> ___ no</div> <bR> <div> I would like to see articles on the following topics in future issues of the <I>Courier:</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>__________________________________________________________________________________________________</I></div> <bR> <div> _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="preamble"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="868" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#00FFFF HEIGHT= 115 WIDTH="864"><div> <B>Preamble</B></div> <div> Overeaters Anonymous is a Fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for members; we are self-supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine; we take no position on outside issues. Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive overeating and to carry this message of recovery to those who still suffer.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> You are welcome to duplicate and distribute the <I>Courier</I> without written permission from Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. Download the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><A HREF="http://www.oa.org/courier07/courier07.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.oa.org/courier07/courier07.ht"><U>PDF file</U></A></FONT> for easy printing and distribution.</div> <bR> <div> To learn more about the publications of Overeaters Anonymous, contact us at:</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Western Massachusetts Intergroup of Overeaters Anonymous</B></div> <div> <B>Post Office Box 2911</B></div> <div> <B>Springfield, Massachusetts 01101</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>413-783-4198</B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>