Tonight we’re going to work on writing our own versions of Step 1.

Traditional EDA language (Adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous): We admitted we were powerless over our eating disorders, that our lives had become unmanageable.

Summary of key components:

• Being honest with ourselves about our lives, including our eating disorder’s impacts.
• Recognizing that our eating disorder causes suffering in our lives and takes us away from our other values and priorities.
• Recognizing that we can’t “willpower” our way into recovery by “managing” our eating disorder on our own terms; We can’t just have “manageable” eating disorders forever.

Example alternatives:

• I admit that when I turn to my eating disorder, it quickly becomes out of control and overwhelming, deeply affecting every aspect of my life.
• I acknowledge the pain and suffering I experience because of my attempts to control my body size and I commit myself to recovery.
• I recognize that I am powerless to control the size of my body without causing myself mental physical and emotional harm.
• When my eating disorder is the primary way I cope with life, my eating disorder becomes the center of my life.
• I no longer want to use eating disorder behaviors to cope with the reality of living under oppressive political, social, and institutional systems.
• When reflecting on my values and hopes for my life, I recognize that eating disorder behaviors have taken me away from my authentic self and the life I want to lead.
• It is also great if the “traditional” EDA language — or something very similar works for you! Don’t change it if it isn’t broken!

Many Roads is a peer support group for people who want to recover from their eating disorders. We have free, virtual online meetings. We take an expansive, feminist, lgbtqia+ affirming, trauma informed approach approach to 12 step-based recovery programs. For more information, see www.manyroadsedrecovery.com.