injecting intoxicating drugs parallels overeating; it permits the user to experience comfort, and to feel punished afterwards. in relationships, many oa members attested to trying to control their own lives and those of others. paradoxically, an oa member's experience of themselves was also characterized by strong feelings of personal failure, dependence, despair, stress, nervousness, low self-esteem, powerlessness, lack of control, self-pity, frustration and loneliness. as part of these feelings, the self was perceived as being both a victim of circumstances and a victim of the attitude of others. many members viewed this lack of self-esteem as deriving from their external appearance. harsh self-criticism is a typical characteristic, accompanied by feelings of "i don't deserve it" and "i'm worth less than others." such feelings were found to have a dominant influence on relationships with others. members describe their sense of relaxation and liberation, and the increasing value of restraint and modesty in their lives. their testimonies show that, paradoxically, it is by becoming aware of their powerlessness and accepting the self's basic limitations that they begin to feel the recovering self's growing power. at the same time, personal responsibility replaces self-pity and the expectation that others will act for the good of the individual. with these old attitudes, egocentricity and exaggerated, false self-confidence perpetuate the problem which led them to join oa. while their eating disorder was active, many oa members claimed that their experience of self was composed of an obsessive aspiration for perfection which concealed their sense of worthlessness. comparisons a significant difference between twelve step work and cognitive-behavioral therapy is the acceptance of a higher power and providing peer support. a large study, known as project match, compared the two approaches as well as motivational enhancement therapy in treating alcoholics. the twelve step programs were found to be more effective in promoting abstinence. however, some researchers have found that cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for bulimics. the two approaches are not mutually exclusive. oa is most appropriate for patients who need intensive emotional support in losing weight. each oa group has its own character and prospective members should be encouraged to sample several groups. criticism oa differs from group therapy in not allowing its participants to express their feelings about (and to) each other during meetings. oa meetings are intended to provide a forum for the expression of experience, strength and hope in an environment of safety and simplicity. feminist criticism oa has been an object of feminist criticism for encouraging bulimic and binge-eating women to accept powerlessness over food. feminists assert that the perception of powerlessness adversely affects women's struggle for empowerment; teaching people they are powerless encourages passivity and prevents binge eaters and bulimics from developing coping skills. these effects would be most devastating for women who have experienced oppression, distress and self-hatred. twelve-step programs are described as predominantly male organizations which force female members to accept self-abasement, powerlessness and external focus, and reject responsibility. surrender is described as women passively submitting their lives to male doctors, teachers and ministers; the feminist view suggests that women focus on pride instead of humility. oa contends that the context of powerlessness within the program isn't referring to an individual's flaws, but simply with the acceptance that they have a problem with food that they cannot seem to defeat with their unaided will. the slogan "we are powerless, not helpless," is an example of this distinction. by accepting that they are powerless over certain things and thereby surrender the illusion of control, they are then able to make an honest appraisal and make clearer decisions about what they truly do control. possible fanaticism opponents of twelve step programs argue that members become cult-like in their adherence to the program, which can have a destructive influence, isolating those in the programs. moreover this kind of fanaticism may lead to perception that other treatment modalities are unnecessary. surveys of oa members have found that they exercise regularly, attend religious services, engage in individual psychotherapy and are being prescribed antidepressants. this is evidence that participants do not avoid other useful therapeutic interventions outside of twelve step programs. literature oa also publishes the book overeaters anonymous (referred to as the "brown book"), the twelve steps and twelve traditions of overeaters anonymous, for today (a book of daily meditations), the oa journal for recovery, a monthly periodical known as lifeline, and several other books. the following list is not comprehensive. overeaters anonymous (january 2001). overeaters anonymous. torrance, california: overeaters anonymous, incorporated. isbn 1-889681-02-4. oclc 47722165. overeaters anonymous (october 1993). the twelve steps and twelve traditions of overeaters anonymous. torrance, california: overeaters anonymous. isbn 0-9609898-6-2. oclc 30004811. overeaters anonymous (1995). journal to recovery (overeaters anonymous). isbn 0-9609898-8-9. overeaters anonymous (october 1994). abstinence: members of overeaters anonymous share their experience, strength, and hope. rio rancho, new mexico: overeaters anonymous. isbn 0-9609898-7-0. oclc 32666911. overeaters anonymous (april 1993). the twelve-step workbook of overeaters anonymous. torrance, california: overeaters anonymous. isbn 0-9609898-5-4. oclc 30170467. overeaters anonymous (october 1990). twelve steps of overeaters anonymous. torrance, california: overeaters anonymous. isbn 0-9609898-3-8. oclc 22811051. overeaters anonymous (1998). a new beginning: stories of recovery from relapse. rio rancho, new mexico: overeaters anonymous. isbn 1-889681-01-6. oclc 40664593.