Overeaters Anonymous Reflection

Tonight I attended an Overeaters Anonymous (OA) 12 step meeting. I thought this would be very interesting and different from the experience of many of my classmates who attended Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Overeaters Anonymous operates from the 12 step model just like AA and NA, because the members really do see food as their drug of choice.
The leader was very directive in assigning roles to the different group members, incorporating activities of her choosing, and facilitating the flow of conversation throughout the meeting.
The group leader encouraged participation by initially stating that she wanted each group member to share after we completed activity. When only two individuals had not yet gone, she said,"Okay, which one of you would like to go first?" She was very respectful and validated what each person had to say. Every person thanked each individual who shared throughout the group session. Because each OA group runs in a fairly formulaic pattern, no individual personalities stood out too much to the point where the group leader would need to intervene. However, she did do a good job of making me feel comfortable as a newcomer and introducing me to the other members.
The group meeting took place in a small meeting room in the basement of the church. Members had to enter a backdoor of the church and walk through a winding hallway to get to the correct meeting space. I think that the fact that this felt so cozy and private made it easier for group members to open up and share throughout the session. As part of the OA model, only OA approved literature is displayed on the table so this element of the environment may have promoted some insights or reflections specific to the way that OA is run if they were familiar with that literature. Positive messages and OA, NA, and AA specific encouragements and steps were displayed all over the room. It was a small group of members, so the small size of the room made it easy to hear everyone and be comfortable.
I believe that this session was therapeutic. Each member shared something that they struggle with and a goal as part of their action plan. Also, there were several recitations that they seem to read aloud at every group meeting that positively reinforces the messages of OA in each group member's mind. I got very excited during the goal-writing portion (which I believe was a bit out of the ordinary from what they usually do). The leader said that she wanted each person's goal to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-constrained. I was so glad to see this kind of effective goal writing as part of a 12 step program! Each member shared their goals and many took notes on each other's goals as they were read out loud. At the end of the session, the group leader asked the members to share how long they have been a part of OA and what this group has meant to them. Each person that shared had a unique and deeply personal story that showed the true impact OA has had over decades of their lives. Although I know this was probably for my benefit, it was so inspiring and therapeutic to hear how well this group really works.
I think that this group was directive because the leader selected each activity, assigned the reading passages to different members, and directed the flow of the whole meeting. The leader was very active in encouraging group participation.