Seventh Tradition

Give as if your life depends on it!

How much is your recovery worth to you?

Our disease tells us,

“There will never be enough.”

Scores of OA members worldwide have discovered that their fears of not having enough food, money, security or love have been lifted by a power greater than themselves. Experience has shown that OA recovery is far stronger than the debilitating disease of compulsive overeating, which also kept us captive to shame and insecurity about the future.

When describing the benefits of recovery,
many members point to the promises listed in
Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), including:
“Our whole attitude and outlook upon life
will change. Fear of people and of economic
insecurity will leave us” (p. 84).

To know the true freedom of recovery is to
know that we can make sensible and necessary
financial contributions to OA at all levels, and
that this investment in our Fellowship ensures
we can continue to carry the message to the
still-suffering compulsive eater.

Our Seventh Tradition states that OA is
fully self-supporting, accepting contributions
only from OA members. While no fees or dues
will ever be required for membership, OA needs
help to keep its rooms open, provide opportunities
for fellowship and spread its message to
still-suffering compulsive overeaters.

What if I can’t afford to contribute now?

OA never requires a contribution. Members
may attend meetings for free as long as they
like. However, many of us have found that a
financial contribution, no matter how small,
supports our recovery.

Also, the concept of self-support applies to
service as well as finances. OA members
strengthen their recovery by giving service to
groups, intergroups, service boards, regions or
the World Service Office.

For more on OA's 7th tradition, please click here!