The current article aims to examine the core concepts of OA fellowship and its implication in clinical practice to support an ongoing recovery from perceived food addiction. Finally, it has been observed that attendance at meetings and the use of other tools in individuals with addictive-like eating behaviors show some benefits ( Malenbaum et al., 1988 Westphal and Smith, 1996 Kriz, 2002), but studies with regard to their effectiveness remain scarce ( Schulte et al., 2015). OA also recommends a set of tools in order to overcome PFA ( Russell-Mayhew et al., 2010). According to the 12-step program any eating-related problem is regarded as a physical, emotional, and spiritual disorder ( Hertz et al., 2012). OA has applied the addictive-like eating framework for decades to help members achieve recovery. Pharmacological interventions, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT), interpersonal and other non-specific supportive therapies are the most recommended treatments for individuals with eating disorders ( Linardon et al., 2017). Therefore, eating disorders may be common amongst OA members ( von Ranson et al., 2011).

Moreover, overeating, restraint, fasting and purging are perceived as both chronic compulsions (despite their negative consequences) and relapsing disorders 1. They also share numerous failed attempts to overcome this problem ( Russell-Mayhew et al., 2010). OA members share an abnormal relationship with food. Because of this, the core concept of this article is perceived food addiction (PFA) rather than an objective and clinically accepted definition of food addiction. Furthermore, there is no consensus regarding whether addictive-like eating should be conceptualized as a substance-related ( Schulte et al., 2015) or a behavioral addiction ( Hebebrand et al., 2014). However, the concept of food addiction is highly controversial ( Meule, 2015). Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is a 12-step mutual help group founded in 1960 to support individuals who perceive themselves as food addicts ( Suler and Barthelomew, 1986). The notion that overeating can be an addictive behavior has been accepted by many individuals who suffer from this problem.

Dating girl in food addicts anonymous