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.
For more information on weight loss go to
www.health-weightloss-info.com