Frequently Asked Questions

CEA-HOW stands for Compulsive Eaters Anonymous – Honest, Open-minded, and Willing. These three principles form the foundation of our approach to recovery. Being honest about our relationship with food, open to the process of recovery, and willing to do the work are the cornerstones of the program.

While both are 12-step programs for compulsive eating, CEA-HOW takes a more structured approach. Our program elements are requirements rather than suggestions: three weighed and measured meals daily, four phone calls per day, three meetings per week, and working with a sponsor. Many members have found this structure provides the accountability and consistency that other programs did not.

No. CEA-HOW is a spiritual program based on the 12 Steps. While we do follow a structured food plan, the program addresses the underlying spiritual, emotional, and mental aspects of compulsive eating — not just the physical symptoms. The goal is long-term recovery, not short-term weight loss.

CEA-HOW is spiritual, not religious. We use the phrase "God as we understood Him" and each member defines their own Higher Power according to their own beliefs and conscience. People of all faiths — and of no faith — participate in and benefit from the program.

Meetings follow a structured format. They typically open with readings (the Preamble, How It Works), followed by a pitch (sharing from members), and close with a prayer. Meetings last about 60–90 minutes. The structure is consistent across all CEA-HOW meetings worldwide, whether in-person, online, or by phone.

No. Newcomers are always welcome to simply listen. You may be invited to introduce yourself by first name only, but sharing your story is never required. Many members find it helpful to just observe for the first few meetings before deciding to get more involved.

Members typically need 30 days of continuous abstinence (or 7 days with sponsor approval) to share at meetings. This guideline ensures that sharing is focused on the solution rather than the problem, and that members have experienced some time in the program before offering their perspective to others.

Use our Meeting Finder to search by location, day, time, or format (in-person, online, or phone). Meetings are available worldwide, and many are accessible from anywhere via phone or video. You can also call the WSO at 323.660.4333 for assistance finding a meeting.

Yes. CEA-HOW has many online meetings via Zoom and phone bridge meetings available worldwide. Online meetings count toward the three-meeting-per-week requirement and are an excellent option for those without in-person meetings nearby, those who travel, or those who prefer the convenience of attending from home.

Crosstalk means responding directly to another member's sharing — giving advice, asking questions of them, or commenting on what they've said. It is generally discouraged during meetings to maintain a safe, non-judgmental environment where everyone can share freely without fear of criticism or unsolicited advice. Each person's share is for them and the group, not a conversation starter.

The food plan consists of three weighed and measured meals daily with nothing in between except non-caloric beverages. Members abstain from sugar and flour. The plan is reviewed with your sponsor when you begin and is designed to provide physical structure that supports the spiritual and emotional work of recovery.

Yes. Weighing and measuring food is one of the requirements of the program. It provides structure and removes the guesswork around portions, which many compulsive eaters find essential. Members who have done this consistently often report that it removes the mental obsession around food and provides a sense of peace they had never known before.

Members with medical conditions can have their doctor provide a written modification. This is discussed with your sponsor and remains consistent with the principles of abstinence. CEA-HOW supports members in working with their healthcare providers, and medical needs are always respected.

A sponsor is a CEA-HOW member with at least 30 days of continuous abstinence who guides you through the 12 Steps and helps you commit your food daily. The sponsorship relationship is one of the most important elements of the program — it provides accountability, guidance, and the experience of someone who has found recovery.

Attend meetings and listen for someone whose recovery you admire — whose shares resonate with you and who seems to have what you want. After a meeting, simply ask if they're available to sponsor. Most members are honored to be asked. You can also ask the meeting leader for help connecting with a potential sponsor.

A sponsor listens to your food commitment daily, guides you through step work, and provides accountability and support. They share their own experience with the program — not professional advice. The sponsor-sponsee relationship is grounded in the principle that one compulsive eater helping another is uniquely powerful.

Service is one of the Seven Tools of the CEA-HOW program and is considered essential to lasting recovery. You can start by volunteering at the meeting level — being a greeter, reading at meetings, or serving as a meeting secretary. As you gain abstinence, you may take on intergroup or WSO service roles. Discuss service opportunities with your sponsor. You can also contact us to learn about current WSO volunteer needs.

There are no dues or fees for CEA-HOW membership. The fellowship is supported entirely by voluntary contributions (7th Tradition). Meetings may pass a basket for voluntary contributions to cover their own expenses. No one is ever turned away for inability to contribute — if you cannot give, your presence is contribution enough.

The 7th Tradition states that every CEA-HOW group should be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. This keeps the fellowship independent and free from outside influence. Members contribute what they can to support the group and the WSO — but giving is always voluntary and never required for participation. Learn more about supporting CEA-HOW →

Step work in CEA-HOW is done with a sponsor and typically includes written assignments based on the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous). Your sponsor will guide you through each Step in sequence — reading specific chapters, answering questions in writing, and discussing your responses by phone. The work is both structured and deeply personal.

Members commit their food to their sponsor before the first meal each day, eat three weighed and measured meals with nothing in between, make a minimum of four phone calls to other members, attend at least three meetings per week, and do their Step work assignments. This daily discipline is what many members credit for their freedom from compulsive eating.

Maintenance refers to the phase of the program after a member has reached their goal weight and transitions to a maintenance food plan. Members work with their sponsor and, if desired, a healthcare provider to adjust food quantities while maintaining the structure of three weighed and measured meals. A maintenance sponsor — someone who has experience with this phase — often guides the process.

The 4th Step is a "searching and fearless moral inventory" — a written exercise guided by your sponsor using the Big Book format. It involves listing resentments, fears, and relationship patterns, then examining your own part in each situation. This is not a guilt exercise; it is a tool for seeing patterns clearly so they can be addressed through Steps 5 through 9. Your sponsor will walk you through every part of it.

The World Service Organization is the central service body of CEA-HOW. It maintains the meeting directory, publishes and distributes literature, coordinates conventions, and supports the fellowship worldwide. The WSO is located in Los Angeles and is staffed by volunteers and a small number of trusted servants. It operates under the guidance of the 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts of Service.

Intergroups are regional service bodies made up of representatives from local meetings. They coordinate activities like workshops, speaker marathons, and outreach within a geographic area. Intergroups also serve as a link between individual meetings and the WSO. The Electronic Intergroup (EIE) serves online and phone meetings worldwide.

CEA-HOW follows a group conscience model based on the 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts of Service. Individual meetings make local decisions through group conscience. Intergroups coordinate regional matters. The WSO Board of Trustees, elected by delegates, handles fellowship-wide issues. No single person governs CEA-HOW — authority flows from the groups upward.

To start a new meeting, you need at least two or three committed CEA-HOW members willing to attend consistently. Register your meeting with the WSO by contacting gso@ceahow.org or calling 323.660.4333. The WSO provides meeting materials, format documents, and guidance for new groups. Review the Meeting Materials page for scripts and best practices.