Addicted to Food?

[Guest guest]

" Addicted to Food? Not Me! " by Teri Kai Holtzclaw, Ph.D.

" Addicted to what? " You say. " I am not an addict! I simply love

food! "

Does this sound familiar? How about this: " Addicts are people who

abuse drugs and alcohol! " Before you go any further in your line of

logic, better consider the following information.

Typically, postoperative patients think of addicts as " bad " people

who have developed an ever increasing need and tolerance for alcohol

or other drugs, suffers withdrawal symptoms when she doesn't get

her " fix, " and is unable to control her thoughts or behaviour in

regard to getting what she wants when she wants it. This type of

addiction is not restricted to drugs and alcohol alone.

There is another type of addiction that creates chaos on

postoperative patients across the country: Food addiction. The only

difference between a food addicted postoperative patients and

alcoholics or drug addicts is their " drug of choice. " Instead of

prescription medications or gambling, a postoperative patient with a

food addiction uses and often abuses food.

Do You Ever Use or Abuse Food?

When you're stressed or unhappy, what do you turn to? Do you feel a

compulsion or strong desire to change how you feel by engaging in

binge eating, even though you know there are negative consequences

for that particular eating behaviour? It's possible that you are a

food addict, and not simply someone who loves food.

Have you ever found yourself in an emotional high (or feeling very

depressed and sad), and feeling out of balance overall. Have you

felt compelled or driven to do something-anything - to feel normal?

Maybe you graze nonstop and can't seem to " fill " up or satiate your

appetite. Maybe you feed a craving for carbohydrate indulgence,

knowing that the portion size is larger than normal. Later, when

you're feeling out of balance again, you continue to graze and snack

on sweets and high caloric liquids. Not feeling quite satisfied, you

decide to go grocery shopping. At the store, you fill your basket

with candy bars, and throw in a comfort food or two to eat on the

way home. These are all warning signs that you may suffer from more

than just being a devout lover of food. Food addicts across this

country are having weight loss surgery everyday. If you are a

postoperative food addict, let me be the first to assure you, you

are not alone.

How do you know if you're a Food Addict Postoperatively?

There appears to be few differences in the reason patients

demonstrate addictive behaviours. Some patients are stressed beyond

their ability to cope; they want to ignore problems by sedating and

medicating themselves with food; and they want to change the way

they feel. They're after an emotional high; one that gives them a

quick " solution " from whatever problem they're having. So, they turn

to a relatively harmless activity, such as eating, as a means of

coping, and become preoccupied or obsessed with food or eating food

instead of the core issue

Increasing portions over time are required to achieve the

same " feeling. "

The physical symptoms of food addictive behaviour are similar to

symptoms of drug or alcohol addictive behaviour, including body

temperature changing, change in heart rate, a sense of relaxation,

or a feeling of euphoria. When a food addict does not get to eat

when she wants to eat, and when a food addict does not satisfy

her " hunger, " she suffers withdrawal. This withdrawal can show

itself as moodiness, impatience, and nerves and sometimes anger.

Unfortunately, food addicts deny they have any problem with

addiction. " No problem; I just love to eat. " They are able to

effectively hide their addictive behaviour - disguising their food

addiction with the fact that food -even gluttony -is legal and

morally acceptable in our society.

A love for food, in and of itself isn't the problem. Eating is part

of a healthy lifestyle. Everyone needs to eat and enjoy what they

eat everyday. In moderation, and in good health, eating is a normal

activity. But, if you have a compulsive, emotional dependence upon

food or if your behaviour toward food is obsessive or out of

control, you may be a food addict. Weight loss surgery is not a cure

for food addiction. Nor will weight loss surgery end one's food

addictive behaviour.

What Can You Do Now?

Honestly assess your dependence on food. Then, identify any barriers

to overcoming your food addiction. Find new ways of coping with

whatever problem leads you to eating and acting out addictive

behaviour. Take advantage of the many resources available to help

people with food addiction: books, 12-step programs, websites,

support groups, and more. Get help from a doctor, counselor, or

other professional trained in helping people with eating disorders,

food addiction and addictive behaviours.