Hope exists for those with eating disorders

JAY VALLE | Scroll Illustration

Weekly meetings are provided for those on campus at BYU-Idaho who face an addiction and are looking for guidance.

Kayla Carrie, a senior studying social work, said the LDS Addiction Recovery Program (ARP), a worldwide organization, provides these services.

Meetings for Eating Sport are held on Thursdays at 7:15 p.m. in the Spencer W. Kimball Student and Administrative Services Building, room 243.

Carrie said a missionary cole conducts all the meetings and all of the personal information that is shared is kept confidential.

She said she has been attending ARP meetings for eating sport since January 2013, and it has completely changed her life around.

Carrie said she had gone for years with people telling her that she was fine until she went to the BYU-I counseling facilities, ­where they directed her to attend an ARP meeting in order to find the help that she needed.

“Most people that I know that struggle look typical in weight and size. They are people you would never guess to have a problem,” Carrie said.

Many struggle with food but don’t know about these meetings that are held each week, said Brandi Cash, the facilitator of the Eating Sport meeting and a senior studying therapeutic recreation.

According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, only 1 in 10 men and women with eating disorders receive treatment.

“There are more people out there that struggle with this than you would believe. Especially in our Mormon culture where you cannot turn to drugs, alcohol, pornography or sex to escape your problems,” Carrie said. “People will and can escape through food and eating disorders.”

Addiction is a threat to the welfare of millions of people’s lives across the world, according to the World Health Organization.

According to the LDS Family Services manual for the ARP, this program is based on the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and the principles of the atonement of Jesus Christ. ARP encourages men and women to apply the principles of the gospel to their lives in order to come unto Christ and to start the recovery process to a better life.

“My story of recovery is Christ. Christ has been my solution to everything. He is way better than any diet or exercise plan,” Carrie said.

Cash said she has found more peace in her life since she found this program and she has begun the 12 step process.

She said Heavenly Father has helped her realize her addiction that she had for food, and now she is on the path of healing.

“You should have no shame if you need to attend one of the ARP meetings that are held,” Carrie said.

Carrie said all are welcomed, even if they are there to sport friends or family.

Those interested in learning about Carrie’s recovery can follow her blog at kaylacarrie.blogspot.com.

“No matter how deep or dark your life may seem, you can find healing   through Christ,” Carrie said. “Have hope and believe in him.”

Read the related Scroll Exclusive “Eating disorders: hungering for help” from February 2013 here.