Last Updated:
May 16th, 2025
Local Grey Sheet Meetings for Addiction Support
What is GreySheeters Anonymous?
GreySheeters Anonymous is a fellowship for people who feel like they’ve lost control around food. Some might binge. Others restrict or constantly obsess. For many, it’s not even about the food itself anymore, it’s the mental load, the shame, the cycle they can’t seem to break. GSA offers a way out of that. It’s based on the 12-step model used in Alcoholics Anonymous but here, the focus is on food recovery.
The programme’s foundation is something called the Grey Sheet food plan. It’s a structured way of eating that removes the chaos many people feel when it comes to making food decisions.
You don’t need to look a certain way or have a formal diagnosis to be part of GSA. If you’ve ever felt that your relationship with food was running your life, this space was built with people like you in mind.
What is the Grey Sheet food plan?
If you’ve been caught in the endless loop of “I’ll start fresh tomorrow” or “I’ll be good this week,” then you already know how exhausting that mental chatter can be. The Grey Sheet food plan offers structure in a way that many people find calming, even if it sounds rigid at first glance.
It eliminates sugar, flour and other foods that tend to trigger cravings or binges. Meals are weighed and measured using specific portion sizes and are eaten three times a day, with nothing in between. For some, that might sound intense. But for people who have lived in food chaos for years, it can actually be a relief.
What makes it work is the simplicity. You’re not constantly debating with yourself about what’s okay or how much is too much. That mental space gets freed up, enabling you to focus on the things that truly matter in your life.
Is the Grey Sheet a diet?
This is one of the first questions people usually ask, and it’s completely understandable. The word “plan” makes it sound like something you’d find in a magazine next to “drop two dress sizes in a week.” But the intention behind the Grey Sheet is totally different.
Yes, weight change may happen, but it’s not the focus. For some, weight goes up. For others, it goes down. The key shift is in how people feel about food and, more importantly, how they feel about themselves while living in recovery.
Is GSA only for people who are overweight?
Not at all. That’s a big misconception. It can be easy to assume compulsive eating has a “look,” but the truth is it doesn’t. Some people in GSA have never been overweight, and some have even struggled with being underweight, especially after years of bouncing between restriction and bingeing. Others fall somewhere in the middle.
What brings people into GSA isn’t a number on the scale. It’s the emotional toll of feeling trapped by food. Maybe you’ve spent years trying every food trend, or perhaps your days revolve around what you’re going to eat, avoid or make up for. Maybe food was the thing that helped you survive something hard, but now it’s what you’re trying to survive from.
GSA welcomes anyone who feels powerless over food.
What happens at a GreySheeters Anonymous meeting?
If you’re thinking about attending a meeting but feel nervous, you’re in good company. Most people walk into their first GSA meeting with some hesitation. That’s normal. But the meetings are designed to be safe, calm spaces where nobody is put on the spot.
Meetings usually start with a few readings from GSA-approved literature. These help set the tone and ground everyone in what the fellowship is about.
Then, people share. Not everyone shares, and you definitely don’t have to if you’re not ready. Many people listen for their first few meetings, taking it all in and getting used to the flow. But what’s often surprising is how much comfort you can find in simply hearing someone else describe something you thought only you did.
What are the benefits of joining GreySheeters Anonymous?
People come to GSA for all sorts of reasons but they tend to stay because of the way things begin to shift, not just with food but with how they show up for themselves.
Less mental noise around food
One of the first things members often mention is how much quieter their mind becomes. When the food plan is in place and the decisions are made, the constant back-and-forth, the guilt and the bargaining all start to ease. Of course, it’s not a magic remedy to your problems but it does bring a kind of calm that many haven’t felt in years.
Emotional steadiness
Food used to be the go-to for dealing with stress, sadness, anger or even boredom. GSA doesn’t pretend that emotions disappear but with support from the group and a clear recovery structure, members begin to respond to those feelings differently. Things might still be tough but they’re not tackled alone or through food.
A clearer relationship with food and self
The food plan doesn’t just help with physical stability. It also acts as a mirror, showing you the habits and stories you’ve built around food. That self-awareness, paired with the structure of the steps, opens the door to a healthier relationship not just with food but with your own body and identity.
How do I find a GreySheeters Anonymous meeting?
GSA meetings are easy to find online. Just visit the official website and check the schedule. There are in-person meetings in some areas but many people join via Zoom or phone, which can feel less intimidating if you’re new.
You can filter by time, day or meeting type and there’s usually something that fits most schedules.
Need help getting started? Addiction Helper is here for you
If the idea of attending a GSA meeting feels like too much right now, that’s okay. There’s help available to guide you through those first steps. Whether you’re trying to find the right meeting or just need someone to talk to who understands what compulsive eating feels like, Addiction Helper is here.
Our advisors can help you figure out what kind of support you’re looking for and connect you with the right resources, whether that’s a GSA meeting near you or just answers to questions that have been on your mind.
Remember, just starting the conversation is a strong beginning. If you’re ready to take that step or even just thinking about it, reach out to Addiction Helper today.
Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.
