Food Addiction: A Craving You Can’t Seem to Control

You may overdose on potato chips or tortilla chips once in a
while, but would you consider yourself to be a food addict? The
answer is important, because it could be the key to determining
what course of action you need to take in order to lose weight.
A number of medical experts say that food addiction is just as
serious as nicotine or cocaine addiction–and can potentially be
just as deadly.

When you suffer from food addiction, you have an overwhelming
desire for a particular food. The desire is so strong, in fact,
that if you are unable to consume that food, you suffer from
withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and depression.
Food addicts crave the comfort that a particular food gives
them. They also may engage in binge eating. Their cravings for
food may be both physical and psychological.

It should be pointed out that there are different varieties of
food addiction. For instance, there is compulsive overeating,
where an individual goes on eating binges that can last several
days. The addict may sometimes lose weight, but tends to gain it
back again. Symptoms include eating quickly, compulsively eating
alone, and eating when there is no evidence of hunger.

Yet another form of addiction is bulimia, in which an
individual overeats, then purges either by vomiting or by taking
laxatives. Signs of this condition include isolating oneself
when eating, trying to consume huge portions of food rapidly,
and being preoccupied with one’s weight.

Food addiction can also come in the form of anorexia, where an
individual attempts to starve oneself in order to achieve an
unrealistic weight. Anorexics tend to be 15 percent below normal
body weight and have a phobia about being fat. They have
difficulty eating with other people and appear to be obsessed
with weight. They may engage in ritualistic behavior involving
food and may suffer from depression.

The good news is that food addiction can be successfully
treated. This treatment can come in a variety of forms. A food
addict may work with a psychotherapist to develop new ways to
deal with food and his or her emotions. The therapist might be
able to identify the source of the individual’s fear or
anger–the reason behind the individual’s addiction. In the
majority of cases, the psychologist will help the individual to
develop a treatment plan which spells out expectations and
goals, both for the short-term and the long-term. In the most
serious cases, an individual may have to undergo in-patient
treatment at a psychological facility. Treatment often involves
helping the individual to return to healthy eating methods,
dealing with the underlying emotional causes of addiction, and
learning effective coping techniques.

Food addicts often follow the tenets of the same kind of
12-step program used by alcoholics. This involves admitting
their powerlessness over food, their belief that they could be
restored to sanity, and an admission of their faults and
failings. In addition, food addicts often draw strength from
support groups made up of people who have similar difficulties
dealing with food. Just knowing that there are other people who
face the same challenges can be incredibly therapeutic.

It is unclear at this point whether food addiction is a
genetically-based illness. Certainly, however, there is evidence
of eating patterns being passed down from one generation to the
next. In fact, many food addicts may only seek help after they
have determined that their illness could adversely affect their
children.

It is entirely possible that a food addiction can never be
cured, that it can only be treated. In other words, the recovery
period for the addiction can last a lifetime. However, one
should never lose hope of beating a food addiction. With
patience and with time, individual addicts can learn the
behavioral skills which will enable them to keep their weight
under control. Of course, there will be times when individuals
will be tempted to indulge in sweets or excessive carbohydrates.
However, knowing the pain that they will undergo if they
continue their harmful eating habits could be just the incentive
they need to stay the course.

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