Gemma was aware that food played a big part in her life from a very young age. Being petite and enjoying dancing she managed to control her weight through a combination of self will and purging. Never overweight, Gemma flew under the radar during her early compulsive eating.  Gemma grew up with her dad in and out of AA, mum in Al-Anon and a brief stint in Alateen herself but found that as she entered her teens she became more obsessed with food. In her later teens she got a boyfriend who also enjoyed overeating and she started drinking and taking drugs as well.  Gemma got into OA around 19 years old and white-knuckled it for a few years while her body recovered. After about 6 years she started drinking again and joined AA to get off the booze.  Gemma’s food obsession is gone and she is now a regular at OA, AA and also Al-Anon meetings.

If you’re experiencing difficulties in life as a result of your relationship to food and eating then Overeaters Anonymous could help you. Checkout their website: oa.org.au.