A member is using a food plan from a commercial dieting program. She told her group she is abstinent on this plan and would like to sponsor. She says she won’t mention she is on a different food plan. Her group told her she couldn’t sponsor.
Sponsor Guidelines booklet (Types of CEA-HOW Sponsors) details the requirements for sponsorship in the CEA-HOW program. One of the requirements for each type of sponsor is continuous CEA-HOW abstinence which is abstinence following the CEA-HOW food plan as set out in Forever Abstinent. The WSO Policy Letter on Food Questions in Forever Abstinent refers consistently to Forever Abstinent for food-related questions.
Unless the member is using the other food plan for medical reasons and it meets the requirements for medical abstinence set out in Forever Abstinent, the member would not qualify as a sponsor in CEA-HOW. Modifications made by a physician or medical intervention made by someone who understands the addictive nature of the disease are acceptable if they fall within the parameters of being sugar- and flour-free and a weighed and measured program as set out in Forever Abstinent. If modifications for medical reasons are made, they must be in writing, discussed with a sponsor, and followed as directed.