Opening a New Door

I am originally from Iran and immigrated to the United States eight years ago. I started FA in September 2021 at 168 pounds, 5-feet, 3-inches tall. Now I am 120 pounds. Losing 48 pounds was not possible without the tools of this program. At first, I thought what we eat was the whole point, but now I know that the tools also help our recovery and ability to stay abstinent.

Food addiction is a disease of isolation and I used to isolate a lot. In the beginning, I didn’t have confidence in communicating with others in my second language. Expressing my feelings and asking for help was a massive challenge. I started breaking that wall by calling my sponsor every day. I had to find a way to express myself. Then I had to make three phone calls each day, which was challenging. I didn’t know the American culture and was not confident with my English. I was not sure how people would react or respond to my calls, and I was so fearful about it. I was afraid that people would make fun of me or find it weird to listen to me, someone who didn’t have too much to say.

My sponsor was concerned about me not getting my calls done; all I wanted to do was avoid it. So I decided to change my sponsor. I attended a meeting to find a new sponsor and shared my problem honestly in a breakout room with five available sponsors. Not only did I find my current sponsor, who I connect with very well, but they also gave me great tips for how to do my calls. They suggested that I leave detailed messages when other people didn’t respond and mention when I would be available so they could call back. I also asked people about their available times when I called them. Attending more Zoom or in-person meetings helped me to connect to fellows that way.

After being able to get my calls done every day, I felt so connected with the fellows and this program. We could relate to each other and help each other, which helped me stay abstinent. Calling people opened a new door to possibilities for me, through which I could get out of my cage and experience the world in a different, loving way.

Making my calls also affected my personal and work relationships. It made me more confident and friendly. I am no longer afraid of making calls to people when I need them, and this is helping my recovery.