International Day Experiencing Abstinence ~ Nov. 18-20

International Day Experiencing Abstinence (IDEA), celebrated the third full weekend (Friday included) in November, encourages OA members worldwide to begin or reaffirm their abstinence from compulsive overeating. ~ OA WSO FAQ

“Abstinence is the action of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight. Spiritual, emotional, and physical recovery is the result of living and working the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve Step program on a daily basis.” ~ Business Conference Policy Manual, 1988b (amended 2019, 2021)

Learn more about Abstinence…

Listen to the Twelve Freedoms podcast from OA World Service for insight & inspiration
Attend the Abstinence through Spirituality Workshop Nov. 19th 10a-12p PT – 3 Speakers with Q&A, Open Share, and Meditation – hosted by OA Peninsula Intergroup
Review the Strong Abstinence Checklist & Writing Exercise
Follow the From Slip or Relapse to Recovery action plan for reclaiming and retaining our abstinence
Read Abstinence Second Edition: updated and expanded with 50 percent new stories! E-book formats are available
Download these free presentations from OA.ORG
- Difference Between Abstinence and A Plan of Eating Workshop– zip
  Abstinence was first mentioned as a Tool in 1961 and was included in The Tools of Recovery pamphlet that World Service Business Conference (WSBC) delegates approved in 1973. WSBC delegates removed “abstinence” as a Tool in 1995 and replaced it with “a plan of eating.” The collective OA understanding of the importance of abstinence was formalized when our primary purpose was modified in 2015.
- Abstinence PowerPoint presentation