Overeaters Anonymous East Bay Unity Intergroup

Selma_08.30.25 (Berkeley Saturday am)

·20 min·2 clips

Selma reveals she's been recovering from compulsive overeating and bulimia since 1978, with 33 years of abstinence after 14 years of relapse.

Selma introduces herself as recovering from compulsive overeating, bulimia, and food addiction. She entered Overeaters Anonymous in 1978 at age 21 after 14 years of relapse and now has 33 years of abstinence. Her eating disorders began at puberty around age 12-13, triggered by fear and low self-esteem. Growing up in an alcoholic household with a rageaholic father, she turned to food for comfort. In high school, she used babysitting money to buy speed, taking it daily to suppress appetite and avoid eating. Her college transcripts suffered due to binging and depression. Selma tried numerous diets and therapies before surrendering to OA. She initially benefited from weighing and measuring food, but when OA removed food plans, calling itself not a diet club, she relapsed. Food plans were later reinstated with dignity of choice, which she eventually surrendered to for peace of mind. Selma emphasizes that therapy was crucial for addressing childhood trauma, codependency, and family issues to maintain abstinence. She describes OA and AA as blueprints for living that her parents couldn't provide. The episode includes personal photos showing her at different weights. Selma shares that her husband is also in a 12-step program. She recently traveled to Ireland with her 91-year-old mother, bringing weighed food and cooking in an Airbnb, demonstrating practical recovery. Selma credits the 12 steps, tools, and fellowship for her recovery, accepting that compulsive overeating is a progressive disease.

As heard by us

Selma's recovery story is clearest when food, family, relapse, and a kitchen in Cork meet.

Selma's story keeps its rough edges. She entered program in 1978 at 21, spent 14 years slipping and relapsing, and now describes 33 years of abstinence.

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