A Definition Of Terms
We need to set the table for discussion on food addiction by defining two very important terms: binge eating disorder and compulsive eating. The two are very different in a number of important ways.
Binge eating disorder is a medically recognised disorder that is characterised by excessive eating over long periods of time. Perhaps the term binge is not the best choice given that we associate binge drinking with consuming too much alcohol in a short amount of time whether it occurs over weeks or months. Nonetheless, the chosen term has been officially adopted for clinical purposes.
A person who suffers from the disorder will typically demonstrate the following symptoms:
- Compulsions to eat when not physically hungry
- Routinely eating past the point of feeling full
- Routinely eating more quickly than others
- A tendency to try and keep eating habits a secret
- Feelings of guilt after eating episodes
- Persistent feelings that one is abnormal
- Persistent feelings that food is taking over ones life
- Routinely attempting to compensate for overeating through dieting or purging.
People suffering from binge eating disorder often mention not having the ability to restrain themselves from eating. They eat because their bodies and minds crave food at a level that would otherwise be deemed irrational.
Complications Associated With Food Addiction
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 35 percent of the adults in the U.S. are considered obese, which indicates that overeating is a serious problem nationally. Not everyone who suffers from food addiction is overweight, however. Regardless of whether a food addict is obese or not, this is a serious disorder that can have some lasting consequences.
Obesity and poor nutrition can lead to such issues as type 2 diabetes, increased risk of heart disease, and digestive issues. Bulimia can cause heart failure, tooth decay, and damage to the esophagus. These are just the physical complications. Often a food addict also suffers from depression, anxiety, and may even have family or financial troubles associated with overeating.
Help For Food Addiction
Science is still working to understand and find treatments for food addiction.
Some argue that recovery from food addiction may be more complicated than recovery from other kinds of addictions. Alcoholics, for example, can ultimately abstain from drinking alcohol. But people who are addicted to food still need to eat.
A nutritionist, psychologist, or doctor who is educated about food addiction may be able to help you break the cycle of compulsive overeating.
There are also a growing number of programs that help people who are addicted to food. Some, like Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, are based on the 12-step program that has helped many people addicted to alcohol, drugs, or gambling.
Others, like Food Addicts Anonymous, use the principles of the 12-step program along with strict diets that advise people to abstain from problem ingredients, like sugar, refined flour, and wheat.Ã
Read Also: Why Am I So Addicted To My Phone
Is Cbd Oil Safe For Recovering Addicts
Despite all the smiley stickers on CBDs tracking sheet, we cant say that its wise for individuals who are in recovery or living their best sober life to use CBD recreationally or therapeutically .
Research indicates that CBD is a useful tool for addiction prevention and treatment, but those were more controlled circumstances. The CBD was a known entity. Dosing and usage were strictly administered and monitored. Participants were overseen by experts.
CBD products in the wild arent regulated in a way that would ensure their quality or consistency. So, theres a chance that CBD products even ones labeled as THC-free or CBD isolate contain THC. And THC is generally not recommended for people in recovery due to its addictive nature. Plus, everyday usage is done without the guidance and guardrails of a formal study.
Each person and his/her story is unique, so its best to consult with the doctor or clinician thats attending to him/her.
S To Take Control Of Food Addiction
Addiction does not always have to involve an addictive substance or drug. It can involve excessive behavior such as compulsive eating too. While scientific studies in the area of food addiction is still in the beginning stages, many experts believe that addiction to food really isnt about the food.
To elaborate further, foods do not have addictive properties that make someone depend on them, unlike chemical substances. Food addiction has more to do with how a person behaves around food, what they think about food, and the way habits are formed with food. The habits are the real source of the addiction.
Read Also: How To Get Over An Addiction
Signs Of Food Addiction
Researchers at Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Science & Policy have developed a questionnaire to identify people with food addictions.
Here’s a sample of questions that can help determine if you have a food addiction. Do these actions apply to you? Do you:
- End up eating more than planned when you start eating certain foods
- Keep eating certain foods even if you’re no longer hungry
- Eat to the point of feeling ill
- Worry about not eating certain types of foods or worry about cutting down on certain types of foods
- When certain foods aren’t available, go out of your way to obtain them
The questionnaire also asks about the impact of your relationship with food on your personal life. Ask yourself if these situations apply to you:
- You eat certain foods so often or in such large amounts that you start eating food instead of working, spending time with the family, or doing recreational activities.
- You avoid professional or social situations where certain foods are available because of fear of overeating.
- You have problems functioning effectively at your job or school because of food and eating.
The questionnaire asks about psychological withdrawal symptoms. For example, when you cut down on certain foods , do you have symptoms such as:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Other physical symptoms
The questionnaire also tries to gauge the impact of food decisions on your emotions. Do these situations apply to you?
Risk Factors Of Food Addiction
Risk factors and triggers of food addiction do vary from person to person. Contributing factors include genetic predispositions, internalized beliefs and values, self-talk, social and environmental factors. The more compromised domains, the more likely one is to develop food addiction. Mental health and substance use disorders also increase the likelihood of developing said addiction.6
As more research is conducted, a better understanding of the risk factors and triggers of food addiction will emerge.
Currently, some of the more common risk factors of food addiction include the following:9
- Low self-esteem
- Side effects from specific medications
- Family history of eating disorders
- Other mental health concerns
Again, when considering food addiction, we must look well beyond the food itself but to these other risk factors as well.
Don’t Miss: Why Am I Addicted To Weed
How To Overcome Food Addiction In 10 Steps
Overcome food addiction the food addiction, like other addictions , relates to the difficulty in preventing or controlling the behavior, in this case, food intake.
Overcome food addiction If you tried to start making several diets without success, because you consider yourself a / addict / aa food, you should continue reading this article.
The Irony Of Diet Culture
Despite some progress through movements like body positivity and Health at Every Size, modern culture still prizes thinness.
In order to achieve that thinness, many people diet incessantly.
Heres how that backfires:
When you think you cant have access to something , you end up wanting more of it.
This is called the limited access paradigm, and it explains why very restrictive diets not only often fail, but may even make people more likely to overeat and binge eat.32
Thats why recovery from compulsive overeating and food addiction often focuses on body awareness, mindful eating, and developing a positive relationship with foodnot dieting.
Interested in checking your bias towards thinness as a coach? Read: Are you body-shaming clients? How well-meaning coaches can be guilty of size-bias.
Also Check: What Is The Difference Between Addiction And Dependence
Food Addiction Recovery Options
Recovery from food addiction is different from recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction in one simple way. You cannot simply refrain from eating all together as a part of your recovery. Humans need to eat to live, so there has to be some form of behavioral change. One thing is certain. Food addiction is a problem that is unlikely to be solved without help.
There are several food addiction recovery options available if you or a loved are suffering from this eating disorder. Treatment for food addiction includes therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy , nutritional therapies, and group support. Contact us to learn more about our food addiction recovery program or to discuss admission options.
How To Overcome Food Addiction: 5 Steps To Take
Others are sometimes quick to judge when they see someone eating large amounts of food. What they may not know, however, is that food addiction does exist. An addiction to food works like any other addiction.
It takes over your brain and your body, and you feel like you have very little control over yourself. The addiction might be geared towards one certain type of food, or it might be an addiction to food in general. Do you believe that you might have a food addiction?
If so, then you most likely want to learn how to overcome food addiction or if its something you can control at all. If you feel as though youre eating habits are out of control, and your weight isnt your ideal weight, then youll want to continue reading below.
You can overcome food addiction if you take all of the necessary steps. Here are 5 steps that you should take if you want to beat your food addiction.
Also Check: What Is Drug Addiction Characterized By
How Our Helpline Works
For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, the PsychGuides.com helpline is a private and convenient solution.
We are standing by 24/7 to discuss your treatment options. Our representatives work solely for AAC and will discuss whether an AAC facility may be an option for you.
Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Neither PsychGuides.com nor AAC receives any commission or other fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor may ultimately choose.
For more information on AACs commitment to ethical marketing and treatment practices, or to learn more about how to select a treatment provider, visit our About AAC page.
If you wish to explore additional treatment options or connect with a specific rehab center, you can browse top-rated listings or visit SAMHSA.
Symptoms Of Food Addiction
There are no blood tests or laboratory exams that can diagnose the existence of food addiction. Like other addiction disorders, the diagnosis of food addiction is based on the persons behaviors. Here are the symptoms of addiction:
Can you relate to at least four signs above? You should start to worry about having a food addiction. But if you have six signs or above, go seek professional help because its most likely food addiction.
Recommended Reading: Can You Get Addicted To Tramadol
First Steps In Overcoming Food Addiction
A few things can help prepare for giving up junk foods and make the transition easier:
- Trigger foods. Write down a list of the foods that cause cravings and/or binges. These are the trigger foods to avoid completely.
- Fast food places. Make a list of fast food places that serve healthy foods and note their healthy options. This may prevent a relapse when hungry and not in the mood to cook.
- What to eat. Think about what foods to eat preferably healthy foods that are liked and already eaten regularly.
- Pros and cons. Consider making several copies of the pro-and-con list. Keep a copy in the kitchen, glove compartment, and purse or wallet.
Additionally, dont go on a diet. Put weight loss on hold for at least 13 months.
Overcoming food addiction is difficult enough. Adding hunger and restrictions to the mix is likely to make things harder.
After taking these preparatory steps, set a date in the near future like the coming weekend from which point onward the addictive trigger foods wont be touched again.
SUMMARY
To overcome food addiction, its important to plan. Make a list of trigger foods and know what is going to be eaten instead.
Are You Like Me
Full of FaithSweet Surrender“Dad refers to me as “happy go lucky.” The truth is I am not happy. Most assuredly my weight is affecting my life. I should not feel so distraught. I have a nice home, a husband who loves and supports the family and two wonderful children whom I adore.Carl and I have had our difficulties, but we are okay. I know it is God’s will for me to be a responsible, loving parent and a caring wife. I am successful most of the time however, I could be kind and loving one minute, when I am in control of my food and having a “good” day on my diet, and then on a “bad” day, I am like another person–some eccentric lunatic. My poor husband and my children are ignored or worse, I get angry. I start banging cabinet doors and complaining about everything and everybody. just for today
You May Like: How To Treat Addiction To Drugs
How To Overcome Food Addiction
The effects of certain foods on the brain make it hard for some people to avoid them.
Food addiction operates similarly to other addictions, which explains why some people cant control themselves around certain foods no matter how hard they try.
Despite not wanting to, they may repeatedly find themselves eating large amounts of unhealthy foods knowing that doing so may cause harm.
This article examines food addiction and provides tips to overcome it.
Food addiction is an addiction to junk food and comparable to drug addiction.
Its a relatively new and controversial term, and high quality statistics on its prevalence are lacking .
Food addiction is similar to several other disorders, including binge eating disorder, bulimia, compulsive overeating, and other feeding and eating disorders.
SUMMARY
Food addiction is a highly controversial concept, though most studies suggest it exists. It works similarly to drug addiction.
2 ).
Processed junk foods have a powerful effect on the reward centers of the brain. These effects are caused by brain neurotransmitters like dopamine .
The most problematic foods include typical junk foods like candy, sugary soda, and high fat fried foods.
Food addiction is not caused by a lack of willpower but believed to be caused by a dopamine signal that affects the biochemistry of the brain .
SUMMARY
Food addiction is thought to involve the same neurotransmitters and areas of the brain as drug addiction.
Getting To Be A Habit
When words like “food addiction” are bandied about, there are plenty of skeptics who hesitate to put foods like cheese and chocolate into the same category as widely acknowledged addictions such as cocaine or alcohol. But Barnard asks, “What other term would you use for a woman who gets into her car at 11:30 at night and drives six miles to the 7-Eleven to get a chocolate bar, and does it every night? She’s gaining weight, she feels profoundly guilty afterward, and though she resolves to stop this behavior, she does it every night, night after night? That’s a food addiction.”
The proponents of this food addiction theory point to possible differences between the sexes in their compulsions. Women may be more susceptible to chocolate, particularly in the premenstrual period. While some men may have a sweet tooth, many more say that the one food they’re least likely to give up is steak. Barnard points to an April 2000 survey of 1,244 adults, which concluded that one in four Americans wouldn’t give up meat for a week even if they were paid a thousand dollars to do so. “It sounds an awful lot like an addiction to me,” he says.
In an animal study at Princeton University in 2002, researchers found that after rats binged on sugar, they showed classic signs of withdrawal when the sweets were removed from their diet, suggesting that sugar may have addictive properties.
“Yes, people do get into habits,” adds Ayoob. “But the good part is that habits can be changed.”
Don’t Miss: Who Is An Addict Na
Psychiatrists And Drug Therapy
While the Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drugs for the treatment of food addiction, medication is another option to consider.
That said, medications are not guaranteed to work for feeding and eating disorders and tend to have side effects.
One drug to consider is approved by the FDA to aid weight loss and contains bupropion and naltrexone. Its marketed under the brand name Contrave in the United States and Mysimba in Europe.
This drug directly targets some of the brain pathways involved in the addictive nature of food. Studies suggest that it may be effective, especially when combined with healthy lifestyle changes .
In many cases, depression and anxiety may contribute to feeding and eating disorders. Taking antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication could help relieve some of those symptoms .
Antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications do not cure food addiction, but they may be a useful tool to help ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. This can allow a person to focus on recovering from a feeding or eating disorder.
A psychiatrist can explain the different options available and make a recommendation based on an individuals circumstance or specific treatment plan.
SUMMARY Consider seeing a psychiatrist to discuss other treatment options, including medications. Various drugs and mental health treatments may help with overcoming food addiction.
Numerous scientific studies confirm that food addiction involves the same brain areas as drug addiction (
