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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,
and 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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