“In talking honestly to a fellow addict, I am speaking to someone who is afflicted with the disease of addiction also. One addict helping another is without parallel. Just to know someone completely understands why I do what I do, and accepts me, is very freeing. I’m not different and I’m not alone.”
Danah K.
“When I talk with fellow sufferers, I see myself and my disease from a fresh perspective. I listen to my own thoughts too much and I am in big trouble! I need to hear the principles of the program and how they work in others’ lives and I can apply them more appropriately in mine. Also, in my part of the conversation, I verbalize what I see to be true – about God, myself, and this program. This helps me do several things: hear myself and know if I am being truthful; share what has been given to me; and offer strength and hope to another compulsive overeater.”
Kathy W.
“In the last year, I have spoken with my sponsor almost every work day either in person on the phone, or to her voicemail, which is almost as good. What that’s done for me is truly miraculous. I write in the morning before breakfast and that puts me in conscious contact with God because I try to be open and honest as if I were talking directly to God. In the afternoon after lunch, but before I go home, I call my sponsor and read to her what I have written. This serves four purposes: (1) I get to make conscious contact with God again, (2) I get to hear myself and what I wrote, which reinforces my thoughts, (3) I get to hear my sponsor’s feedback, which is always kind, non-judgmental, and intuitive, and (4) when I get home, I am not lonely. That was always the moment I would start bingeing. It’s been so important to me to have that hole in my heart filled before I walk in the door. I have a house full of people waiting for me, but I can still be lonely.”
Betsy H.
“I get to understand others’ journeys, struggles, successes, and how they are able to work the Steps. I get to share my own struggles and we have talked about what is helping my life improve. I am not alone. I have hope.”
Charra W
