Site Meter Eating Disorder Talk » Blog Archive » 12 Step Programs

12 Step Programs

by

I am a big fan of 12-step- programs. They are super helpful and a great way to get out of our black holes of food issues. It’s a safe place to talk openly and honestly about food. It can be positive or negative. It is a room of people who understand and completely relate to everything that is being said. Yes, we all have our internal thoughts and opinions, but once you walk into the doors of a 12-step-program, those thoughts are pushed away. Like anything, you take in the good as well as the bad when becoming a part of any group. I WAS in a 12-step-program for 3 years and left because I learned that it was not for me. Ironically, I got annoyed by the fact that I couldn’t voice my opinion if I strongly disagreed with something or if someone said or did something rude to me. The whole point was to “keep an eye on my own plate” and I found that certain members didn’t understand the concept. I was tired of apologizing when I was the one who was hurt. I was tired of expressing my hurt feelings and getting further stomped on. Like any food addict, I am a sensitive person, yes. But some of the people were just plain assholes. Okay, so I think I have given a quick glimpse of two views of 12 step programs. In the end, I still recommend it. I may have my own, personal experience, but that does not mean anything. I am but one story. I would not be at as good of a place mentally if it was not for the program. Trust me, I was so far from being as open back in the day. I was not as calm, and my life was not as amazing because I did not know how to fully appreciate and be as grateful for it as I do now.


Leave a Reply


About Eating Disorder Talk

The goal of Eating Disorder Talk is to encourage family and friends of people living with disordered eating - as well as sufferers - to learn more about the conditions, where to get help, the risks associated and another vessel of communication. I come with 20 years of experience living with (and sometimes for) anorexia; my job is not to cure, it’s to allow others to speak. This means wanting to help those that want help and to provide a voice to those who don’t.

Eating Disorder Talk Author(s)

Blogging Flair

button.GIF

Science & Health Channel Posts

  • What The Heck Is Treatment Resistant Depression?
    This is a dreadfully named type of chronic depression. Please, someone in the medical community rename this thing. When you're depressed, you're always convinced that you cannot be cured or helped. [...]
  • Victoria's Secret? She's a Vegan!
    Victoria's Secret is no longer hiding in closet. The lingerie and beauty product brand is getting loud and proud about veganism. Pink Body is a new line of Victoria's Secret cosmetics - including [...]
  • I binged
    Yes. I am not all perfect and cured. I totally had a binge last night. It was my own fault. I had junk food lying around the house for the "future" and needless to say, I pounced on the food last [...]
  • Is Volumetrics for you?
    [caption id="attachment_756" align="alignnone" width="339" caption="Volumetrics "][/caption]"Free foods" are those that help you get more bang for your buck because they contain a lot of water, [...]
  • Psoriasis and Earache
    I'm going to be honest and beg the blogosphere for information of psoriasis and earache. I have psoriasis and now it seems to have spread to my right ear. It causes a dull ache, but not bad enough [...]
  • Dear Non-Vegans, Love Eccentric Vegan
    Eccentric Vegan compiled a great resource post, called "Dear Non-Vegans," all about why meat, eggs, all other animal products are not healthy, humane, or environmentally friendly on Vegan Soapbox. I [...]
  • Top Ten signs of Alzheimers Disease
    [caption id="attachment_1800" align="alignnone" width="67" caption="Alzheimers"][/caption]Memory loss that disrupts everyday life is not a normal part of aging. It may be a sign of Alzheimer's [...]
  • The best way to measure body fat
    [caption id="attachment_796" align="alignnone" width="104" caption="Tape Measure"][/caption]When does "putting on a few pounds" cross the line into needing to lose weight? Neither scale, BMI, pinch [...]
  • Exacts on how you too can run up expensive therapy bills for your children.
    Ok, so see, as I said, I’ve never been away from my children much.  And, I have missed not one, not two but on Saturday, I will have missed three of my son’s basketball games.  Never in [...]
  • Published Letter to the Editor
    My first letter to the editor was published this week in the Middle Tennessee State University student newspaper, Sidelines. Here's the published version of what I wrote in response to their article [...]

Hot Off The Press