Information Session for Professionals - Format

Note: This is the suggested format for an Information Session for professional non-FA groups. It may not be appropriate to read as a script as we do in our regular meetings. Please try to include the important elements, such as the Preamble of FA, Definition of a Food Addict, Definition of Abstinence, brief discussion of Tools and Steps. Focus on FA being an addiction recovery program, not a weight loss program. Also, be sure to include enough time for questions.

First Speaker:

Introduce yourself by your first name and as a member of FA. Introduce your co-speaker. Thank the group for allowing you this opportunity to share with them the program of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous.

Explain your role as follows:

• We are members, not spokespeople for Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, FA. Official views appear in the FA literature, available over there (Point to the literature.). Our presence does not imply that anyone else here is a food addict. We are here to provide information about FA and to answer any questions you may have.

If you are speaking at a hospital or church, it is important to say that we are not affiliated with this institution and that there are meetings at a variety of other locations.

Explain the basic premise of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous by saying something like:

• You may be asking yourself, “What is FA?” Part of the answer to that question is found in the FA Preamble:

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience and mutual support, are recovering from addictive eating.

We welcome all who want to stop abusing themselves with food. There are no dues or fees for members. We are self-supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. FA 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 addictive eating and to carry this message of recovery to those who still suffer.

• Through years of experience, we have developed a Definition of Food Addiction:

Food Addiction is a disease of the mind, body and spirit for which there is no cure; but it can be arrested a day at a time, by our adapting to a disciplined way of eating and the Twelve Step Program of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous. When we abuse food by using it as a drug, our lives become unmanageable. Food Addicts have an allergy to flour, sugar, and quantities that sets up an uncontrollable craving. The problem can be arrested a day at a time by weighing and measuring our food and abstaining from all flour and sugar.

Explain that if we eat flour or sugar we cannot limit the amount we eat and/or are unable to stop if we intend to.

Point out that food addiction is not a selective disease. It affects all ages, genders, races, occupations, and professions.

Mention that the symptoms of food addiction include overeating, under-eating, bingeing, bulimia, and constant thoughts about food or body image.

We talk about recovery rather than reform. We see food addiction as a progressive disease, not a moral deficiency.

You may also include some of the following:

Abstinence: The definition of food addiction speaks of a disciplined way of eating and using the Twelve Steps. This disciplined way of eating has evolved over many years and has a long record of working in the lives of members. Of these some weighed as little as 62 pounds, some more than 400 pounds, and others of normal weight who were obsessed with food and/or dieting. This disciplined way of eating consists of eating weighed and measured meals, eating nothing in between meals, no flour, no sugar and avoidance of individual binge foods. We call this abstinence.

Twelve Steps: To be abstinent and remain so, we use the Twelve Steps as originally established in Alcoholics Anonymous. These Twelve Steps have been adapted by FA with permission from AA.

Tools: In addition to the Twelve Steps, we have a number of tools and practices that help members stay abstinent. They include daily contact with a sponsor, quiet time, phone calls to other members in times of stress, reading FA and AA literature, writing, meetings, gratitude, and service. These tools give us the support and encouragement to refrain from eating addictively, one day at a time.

Anonymity: We do not talk about whom we see or what we hear in FA meetings, outside of FA. If I see you on the street, I will not mention seeing you at an FA meeting, and I expect that you will not mention my membership in FA.

Meetings: Point out that there are many meetings in your area or near-by areas. The meetings are open to food addicts, friends, and family members, and to those with questions about food addiction. No roll is taken nor is there a list of attendees. No dues or fees are collected, and no roll is taken.

Second Speaker - Story (10-15 minutes):

Story: Briefly tell your personal story of recovery. Remember to speak in terms of addiction and not just weight management. You may want to use some of the following points as a guide:

• Eating pattern and experience.
• Why you decided to seek help.
• What you found in FA that helped you.
• How do you feel and what your life is like today. 

Speaker shares experience of food addiction and recovery in FA.

Conclude with the following points:

• Contacting FA: Give the phone number of the FA WSI Office (781-932-6300) or a local phone number and the web address, www.foodaddicts.org.
• What FA does not do:
  • We do not recruit members or keep lists.
  • We do not sponsor research, make medical or psychological diagnosis, or provide counseling services.
  • We do not accept funding or payment for services.

Q&A Time (Remainder of meeting):

The first speaker will now let the audience know that we are open to any questions they have. Here are some things to remember when you are answering questions:

• Listen carefully. Restate the question if it is unclear or if you believe some people may not have heard.
• Pause to think, and then answer briefly.
• Share from your own experience.
• When done, ask if the question has been answered clearly.
• Check to see if your partner would like to answer or add to your answer.
• Avoid monologues.
• If you don’t know the answer, say “I don’t know.” Try not to give an answer if you’re unsure it’s correct.
• Avoid legal, medical, psychological, religious, political or non-FA subjects.

Thank the group when you’re done!

Revised 2021 0822