Food Addiction

Compulsion is what fuels addiction cravings. So when you are trying to stop an addiction, the compulsion or obsession is what must be dealt with first. The most effective method of addressing this persistent desire to eat is through a 12-step group. There you will receive support and a plan for overcoming your addiction by working through the 12-Steps of Recovery.

There are as many 12-step groups as there are maladies. For food addiction, Overeaters Anonymous is a good place to start. They have online and in-person meetings all over.

Here is their link:
http://www.oa.org/

The 12-step groups are based on the principle that, if your compulsion has gotten out of control and is negatively affecting other areas of your life, i.e., your self-esteem, your relationships, your career, your marriage, your level of motivation, and/or your ability to engage in leisure activities, then they can help you to overcome it.

An obsession or compulsion is never voluntary. For most people, it is a thorn in the flesh. Being powerless over how to stop the compulsion is frightening and a source of great frustration.

There are things that many food addicts have in common. Though some food addicts report that they were "born" with the compulsion to eat, there may have been a triggering event that caused the compulsion to "light up." A younger sibling with a chronic medical problem can spark a food obsession in the older sibling. Food becomes a source of comfort and a substitute for the disproportionate amount of attention that the younger sibling is receiving from the parents . Food is used as a mood changer, just like any other drug.

In food addiction, brain chemicals are triggered when certain foods are eaten. Carbohydrates and sugars are two foods that, for many food addicts, stimulate the brain to release dopamine, a brain chemical that gives a feeling of happiness and wellbeing. Peanut butter is another common binge food for food addicts, and so is chocolate.

When taking on your food addiction, it is important for you to be committed to changing. See your medical provider  to investigate the possibility of underlying depression as the root cause of your addiction. This can be treated with counseling/therapy and, sometimes, medications. Attend your 12-step group as often as possible, and in those meetings, share your struggle with other people going through the same experience. There, you will find a sponsor to guide you through the process and provide moral support.

Food addiction does not have to ruin your life. With medical help and 12-step-group participation, you can overcome the obsession to eat and break free from the chains of addiction.