Overeaters Anonymous group launches in Fort St. John

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A new support group is now available in Fort St. John for those struggling with food-related addictions.

Overeaters Anonymous (OA), a 12-step program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, has started holding weekly in-person meetings at the Fort St. John Hospital.

The group meets every Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the hospital’s spiritual room, offering a safe and confidential space for participants.

“It doesn’t matter what the orientation with food is, whether it’s compulsive overeating, bulimia, restricting or being addicted to things like sugar,” said the program’s coordinator, who asked to be identified only as Chris for anonymity purposes. 

“OA is for anyone who feels they have a problem with food.”

Chris said while there are plenty of  Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Fort St. John, there hasn’t been an in-person OA option until now. Previously, residents could only access virtual meetings.

“Covid brought a lot of online groups, and I still attend some of them,” Chris explained. “But it really is different when you’ve got a face-to-face one. Recovery in this town is really remarkable, and this adds another option.”

As with other 12-step programs, anonymity is central to OA. Participants share their experiences, strength and hope in a confidential environment where “what’s said in a meeting stays in a meeting.”

Chris emphasized that eating addictions aren’t always visible. 

“You might look healthy, and it doesn’t look like you’d ever have a problem, but inside you can’t stop,” Chris said. “For me, it was popcorn, I could have 20 servings in a sitting.

“There are so many people who suffer, and it’s not just about comfort eating. It’s often connected to trauma or other challenges that aren’t visible.”

OA follows the same 12 steps as AA and welcomes anyone seeking help, regardless of background or eating patterns.

The group meets for one hour each Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Fort St. John Hospital’s main floor spiritual room. Anyone is welcome to attend. The meeting can also be attended virtually by using the Zoom ID 995 3458 4150 and password 8qX8Dz.