Free Eating Disorders Anonymous 12-Step Peer Recovery — Online & Nationwide
Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA) is a 12-step fellowship of individuals who share their experience, strength, and hope to help each other recover from eating disorders. Founded in 2000 by AA members who also struggled with disordered eating, EDA is the most-established 12-step program specifically for eating disorder and body image recovery.
What to Expect
One-hour confidential meetings where members share their experience without giving advice. EDA’s only membership requirement is a desire to recover from an eating disorder. Importantly, EDA endorses sound nutrition and discourages any form of rigidity around food — balance, not abstinence, is the goal. This makes EDA distinct from food-abstinence-based 12-step programs.
Meeting Formats
In-person meetings in cities with established EDA communities. Virtual meetings via Zoom available across multiple time zones, including beginners’ meetings, women-only, men, BIPOC, and topic-focused groups. Phone meetings for members who prefer audio-only.
Who This Is For
Anyone with the desire to recover from an eating disorder, disordered eating, or body image distress. EDA welcomes people at any stage of recovery — early acknowledgement, active recovery, sustained recovery, and people supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. The fellowship is not appropriate for people who require medical stabilization first.
Why 12-Step Works for Some
The 12 steps adapted for eating disorders offer a structured path that emphasizes spiritual recovery (interpreted broadly — not religious), sponsorship, service, and consistent meeting attendance. Many members combine EDA with clinical care, dietitian work, or other peer programs like ANAD, the Alliance, or Project HEAL.
How to Join
Drop in to any meeting — no registration, dues, or fees. Find the current meeting schedule at eatingdisordersanonymous.org/meeting. The EDA website also lists phone numbers for EDA-affiliated sponsors who can answer questions about the program.