The 12 Traditions

  1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on FAA unity.

  2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as God is expressed in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

  3. The only requirement for FAA membership is a desire to stop eating addictive foods.

  4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or FAA as a whole.

  5. Each group has but one primary purpose - to carry its message to the food addict who still suffers.

  6. An FAA group ought never endorse, finance or lend the FAA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, or prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

  7. Every FAA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

  8. Food Addicts Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

  9. FAA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

  10. Food Addicts Anonymous has no opinions on outside issues; hence the FAA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

  11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.

  12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

FAA Definition of Abstinence

We ask for help from our Higher Power to abstain from those substances we find ourselves craving, ever mindful of our addiction to sugar, flour and wheat. Feeding our bodies with a plan of sound nutrition will allow us freedom from the insanity of this disease. With honesty, an open mind, and willingness to share our experience, strength, and hope, we can recover from this disease, ONE DAY AT A TIME.

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

The FAA 7th Step Prayer

God, help me listen to my Higher Self as You and I make the changes in my life that will allow me to live a free, useful, and happy life. Help me not to find fault with all that I do and with those who cross my path. As I continue to stay abstinent, help me be released from the cravings for foods that are not in my best interest. Help me learn that food is to nourish my body so my spirit can carry out your plans for me. Help me be compassionate, trusting, forgiving, loving and kind to myself and others as I serve you and the people on earth. Amen.
(from FAA's The Steps to Recovery, 1992)
 

Copyright 2007
Food Addicts Anonymous