What is the H.O.W. Concept

• * The Overeaters Anonymous H.O.W. Concept is to offer the compulsive overeater (who accepts the 12 steps and 12 traditions as a program of recovery,a disciplined and structured approach. There are many ways to work the O.A. program and none of them are wrong. It is suggested you attend several meetings to determine which is best for you.
• * The H.O.W. groups have been formed in the belief that our disease is absolute and therefore only absolute acceptance of the H.O.W. program will offer any sustained abstinence to those of us whose compulsion has reached a critical level.
• * Therefore, the H.O.W. plan of eating, steps, traditions, and tools of recovery are not suggested. Rather, we accept them as requirements for our recovery.
• * Meetings are dedicated to the concept of remaining Honest, Open-mindied, and Willing to listen....this is the H.O.W. of the program. We pray that the collective group conscience and love that these ideas offer us will promote a strong sense of security that will enable us to experience a new unity and wholeness with all those around us. And, that the H.O.W. idea will help us to progress in our program of recovery on a daily basis.
• * To be certain, much of our strength is found in the structure of meetings and in the daily adherence to the program as it is written in our literature.
• * Each group also firmly understands that after our recovery has begun through abstinence and the taking of th first three steps, our further surrender to the additional steps of recovery offers us a promise of happiness, contentment, and achievement in all areas of our lives.
• * We insure our continued and sustained abstinence from compulsive overeating by being forever aware that God is doing for us what we have never been able to do for ourselves.
• * May God, as each of us understands Him, open our minds and hearts to the love which is manifest in this room.
• * AMEN

NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS ABSTINENCE FEELS