Addiction
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Mariam-Webster defines addiction as a strong or harmful need to have something or do something. Is there a strong need for food, either to cope with stress or to fill a reaction from the body? Eating is certainly habit-forming. No one is saying that it does not take discipline to overcome this habit/addiction. The same is true of any other addiction.
Alcoholics are vigilant, there is a fight everyday to stay sober. There are support structures like AA in place. During meetings people share there thoughts, struggles and cravings. After certain steps are achieved, a sponsor is chosen to help personally guide you through you journey.
In the same way, eating helps people cope with their problems. It is a comforting method of escaping from the real world and its tribulations. If done in excess, it can be very harmful and deadly. When you decide eating has damaged your life enough to make a change, you seek help. After finding that help, you need to be constantly vigilant over your eating, or you may fall prey to over-eating again.
It certainly fits the definition of addiction, and it has a striking number of similarities to other accredited addictions. The difference with food is that we must have it in order to live. An alcoholic can swear off alchol, a drug addict can stop using completely. Someone who is addicted to food still has to eat. Imagine a heavy scotch drinker trying to conquer alcoholism by being told cut back on their scotch intake, or switch to beer! Not going to work. Food can be a very dangerous and addictive stub stance. Failure to recognize that fact is even more dangerous.
No it is not the same and saying that it is trivializing actual addictions.
So then you believe a person can only be addicted to something if it is an illegal or controlled substance?0 -
CarrieCans wrote: »Mariam-Webster defines addiction as a strong or harmful need to have something or do something. Is there a strong need for food, either to cope with stress or to fill a reaction from the body? Eating is certainly habit-forming. No one is saying that it does not take discipline to overcome this habit/addiction. The same is true of any other addiction.
Alcoholics are vigilant, there is a fight everyday to stay sober. There are support structures like AA in place. During meetings people share there thoughts, struggles and cravings. After certain steps are achieved, a sponsor is chosen to help personally guide you through you journey.
In the same way, eating helps people cope with their problems. It is a comforting method of escaping from the real world and its tribulations. If done in excess, it can be very harmful and deadly. When you decide eating has damaged your life enough to make a change, you seek help. After finding that help, you need to be constantly vigilant over your eating, or you may fall prey to over-eating again.
It certainly fits the definition of addiction, and it has a striking number of similarities to other accredited addictions. The difference with food is that we must have it in order to live. An alcoholic can swear off alchol, a drug addict can stop using completely. Someone who is addicted to food still has to eat. Imagine a heavy scotch drinker trying to conquer alcoholism by being told cut back on their scotch intake, or switch to beer! Not going to work. Food can be a very dangerous and addictive stub stance. Failure to recognize that fact is even more dangerous.
No it is not the same and saying that it is trivializing actual addictions.
So then you believe a person can only be addicted to something if it is an illegal or controlled substance?
Nope. Where did I ever say that?0 -
Learned response or not, I do crave sweets and carbs when I am stressed. In my case, I was obese as a child so it's been a life long battle. I treated myself to a Dunkin' Donuts pumpkin latte last Fall, and it was super sweet. After the first sip, I was surprised at how much I just wanted to take sip after sip. I was appalled at how sweet it was and how my body was loving it. When I am stressed and I have sweets, I feel my whole body relax. In my head I imagine that's how an addict feels. There is a weight loss group, similar to AA, called Overeaters Anonymous.0
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poohpoohpeapod wrote: »I think people can get addicted to the biological good feelings that sugar and certain simple carbs provide. They affect the brain in some people much more than others. I think some people feel out of control and have difficulty eating these foods in moderation. Sugar has been proven (on pet scans) to light up the same areas of the brain as cocaine does. Call it what you want. Many will say IIFYM however, some of us cant do moderation, thats why we got big in the first place.
The bolded part, everyone can do moderation if you work on it and learn it, we didn't get big because we're unable to moderate our intake, it's cause we never worked on learning how. It's not something you just figure out, it takes thought and effort.
As for food being an addiction, for most no, for those dealing with eating disorders maybe.
But the way the word addiction is thrown around is insulting to those that deal with true addictions. When you are willing to sell your body, steal from your family to get your daily burger fix ... than yea call it an addiction. If not, no you just need to work on learning how to moderate and work on your willpower muscle.
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CarrieCans wrote: »Mariam-Webster defines addiction as a strong or harmful need to have something or do something. Is there a strong need for food, either to cope with stress or to fill a reaction from the body? Eating is certainly habit-forming. No one is saying that it does not take discipline to overcome this habit/addiction. The same is true of any other addiction.
Alcoholics are vigilant, there is a fight everyday to stay sober. There are support structures like AA in place. During meetings people share there thoughts, struggles and cravings. After certain steps are achieved, a sponsor is chosen to help personally guide you through you journey.
In the same way, eating helps people cope with their problems. It is a comforting method of escaping from the real world and its tribulations. If done in excess, it can be very harmful and deadly. When you decide eating has damaged your life enough to make a change, you seek help. After finding that help, you need to be constantly vigilant over your eating, or you may fall prey to over-eating again.
It certainly fits the definition of addiction, and it has a striking number of similarities to other accredited addictions. The difference with food is that we must have it in order to live. An alcoholic can swear off alchol, a drug addict can stop using completely. Someone who is addicted to food still has to eat. Imagine a heavy scotch drinker trying to conquer alcoholism by being told cut back on their scotch intake, or switch to beer! Not going to work. Food can be a very dangerous and addictive stub stance. Failure to recognize that fact is even more dangerous.
No it is not the same and saying that it is trivializing actual addictions.
So then you believe a person can only be addicted to something if it is an illegal or controlled substance?
Nope. Where did I ever say that?
I didn't say you said it. I was asking because it appears that you believe a person who thinks that food addiction is real is trivializing actual addictions.
I may have read that wrong.0 -
CarrieCans wrote: »CarrieCans wrote: »Mariam-Webster defines addiction as a strong or harmful need to have something or do something. Is there a strong need for food, either to cope with stress or to fill a reaction from the body? Eating is certainly habit-forming. No one is saying that it does not take discipline to overcome this habit/addiction. The same is true of any other addiction.
Alcoholics are vigilant, there is a fight everyday to stay sober. There are support structures like AA in place. During meetings people share there thoughts, struggles and cravings. After certain steps are achieved, a sponsor is chosen to help personally guide you through you journey.
In the same way, eating helps people cope with their problems. It is a comforting method of escaping from the real world and its tribulations. If done in excess, it can be very harmful and deadly. When you decide eating has damaged your life enough to make a change, you seek help. After finding that help, you need to be constantly vigilant over your eating, or you may fall prey to over-eating again.
It certainly fits the definition of addiction, and it has a striking number of similarities to other accredited addictions. The difference with food is that we must have it in order to live. An alcoholic can swear off alchol, a drug addict can stop using completely. Someone who is addicted to food still has to eat. Imagine a heavy scotch drinker trying to conquer alcoholism by being told cut back on their scotch intake, or switch to beer! Not going to work. Food can be a very dangerous and addictive stub stance. Failure to recognize that fact is even more dangerous.
No it is not the same and saying that it is trivializing actual addictions.
So then you believe a person can only be addicted to something if it is an illegal or controlled substance?
Nope. Where did I ever say that?
I didn't say you said it. I was asking because it appears that you believe a person who thinks that food addiction is real is trivializing actual addictions.
I may have read that wrong.
You are correct. I do not believe food is an actual addiction. How many people do you know that lost their jobs because they couldn't stop eating? How many have ended up in shelters from spending too much on food? How many started selling their body to pay for the food? How many had their children taken away from them because their "addiction" made CPS believe they are an unfit parent?0 -
CarrieCans wrote: »CarrieCans wrote: »Mariam-Webster defines addiction as a strong or harmful need to have something or do something. Is there a strong need for food, either to cope with stress or to fill a reaction from the body? Eating is certainly habit-forming. No one is saying that it does not take discipline to overcome this habit/addiction. The same is true of any other addiction.
Alcoholics are vigilant, there is a fight everyday to stay sober. There are support structures like AA in place. During meetings people share there thoughts, struggles and cravings. After certain steps are achieved, a sponsor is chosen to help personally guide you through you journey.
In the same way, eating helps people cope with their problems. It is a comforting method of escaping from the real world and its tribulations. If done in excess, it can be very harmful and deadly. When you decide eating has damaged your life enough to make a change, you seek help. After finding that help, you need to be constantly vigilant over your eating, or you may fall prey to over-eating again.
It certainly fits the definition of addiction, and it has a striking number of similarities to other accredited addictions. The difference with food is that we must have it in order to live. An alcoholic can swear off alchol, a drug addict can stop using completely. Someone who is addicted to food still has to eat. Imagine a heavy scotch drinker trying to conquer alcoholism by being told cut back on their scotch intake, or switch to beer! Not going to work. Food can be a very dangerous and addictive stub stance. Failure to recognize that fact is even more dangerous.
No it is not the same and saying that it is trivializing actual addictions.
So then you believe a person can only be addicted to something if it is an illegal or controlled substance?
Nope. Where did I ever say that?
I didn't say you said it. I was asking because it appears that you believe a person who thinks that food addiction is real is trivializing actual addictions.
I may have read that wrong.
You are correct. I do not believe food is an actual addiction. How many people do you know that lost their jobs because they couldn't stop eating? How many have ended up in shelters from spending too much on food? How many started selling their body to pay for the food? How many had their children taken away from them because their "addiction" made CPS believe they are an unfit parent?
I have had problems with addiction. It has never lost me a job, never landed me in a shelter, i have never sold my body, and i have never "lost" a child over it. I have however had issues with working, had frequent moves and even lived in cars and other peoples couches, considered doing demeaning or immoral things and voluntarily gave custody of a child to a family member.
I guess i wasted a lot of time dealing with something that wasn't actually an addiction after all. I never knew it was a requirement to let yourself get that low before you try to do something about it.0 -
Nope0
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CarrieCans wrote: »CarrieCans wrote: »CarrieCans wrote: »Mariam-Webster defines addiction as a strong or harmful need to have something or do something. Is there a strong need for food, either to cope with stress or to fill a reaction from the body? Eating is certainly habit-forming. No one is saying that it does not take discipline to overcome this habit/addiction. The same is true of any other addiction.
Alcoholics are vigilant, there is a fight everyday to stay sober. There are support structures like AA in place. During meetings people share there thoughts, struggles and cravings. After certain steps are achieved, a sponsor is chosen to help personally guide you through you journey.
In the same way, eating helps people cope with their problems. It is a comforting method of escaping from the real world and its tribulations. If done in excess, it can be very harmful and deadly. When you decide eating has damaged your life enough to make a change, you seek help. After finding that help, you need to be constantly vigilant over your eating, or you may fall prey to over-eating again.
It certainly fits the definition of addiction, and it has a striking number of similarities to other accredited addictions. The difference with food is that we must have it in order to live. An alcoholic can swear off alchol, a drug addict can stop using completely. Someone who is addicted to food still has to eat. Imagine a heavy scotch drinker trying to conquer alcoholism by being told cut back on their scotch intake, or switch to beer! Not going to work. Food can be a very dangerous and addictive stub stance. Failure to recognize that fact is even more dangerous.
No it is not the same and saying that it is trivializing actual addictions.
So then you believe a person can only be addicted to something if it is an illegal or controlled substance?
Nope. Where did I ever say that?
I didn't say you said it. I was asking because it appears that you believe a person who thinks that food addiction is real is trivializing actual addictions.
I may have read that wrong.
You are correct. I do not believe food is an actual addiction. How many people do you know that lost their jobs because they couldn't stop eating? How many have ended up in shelters from spending too much on food? How many started selling their body to pay for the food? How many had their children taken away from them because their "addiction" made CPS believe they are an unfit parent?
I have had problems with addiction. It has never lost me a job, never landed me in a shelter, i have never sold my body, and i have never "lost" a child over it. I have however had issues with working, had frequent moves and even lived in cars and other peoples couches, considered doing demeaning or immoral things and voluntarily gave custody of a child to a family member.
I guess i wasted a lot of time dealing with something that wasn't actually an addiction after all. I never knew it was a requirement to let yourself get that low before you try to do something about it.
You are totally missing the point. That is the path that actual addictions take if they are let go. Do some get help before they reach rock bottom? Yes. However for those who don't get help- that is eventually where their life leads.0 -
cincysweetheart wrote: »Personally, I think it's an excuse. Rather than dealing with the stresses of life, one chooses to eat. Then claims that they can't deal with life without food. They eat because it tastes good and they like the feeling. But they don't want to take responsibility for it and have the discipline to say no… so they have created "food addiction" as a way of excusing themselves.
edited to add: This is just my opinion. But it comes from someone who started off at 381 pounds… with no injuries or medical problems, therefore most of the civilized world would think I had a food addiction.
tbh this sounds like a milder form of addiction, the reasoning you used here is a lot of the same that addicts use to support their habits. Addiction is psychological and physical.
Good point. I better clarify. Addiction and chemical dependency is often used interchangeably and I was doing that. There is an actual chemical dependency that goes on with alcohol and drugs that they will have to deal with once they decide to quit… something that doesn't really exist with food (aside from the sheer obvious fact that we need a certain amount of food to survive) or other addictions.
But yes, as you stated... the reasoning is the same. Alcoholics/drug addicts do the same thing. They like how it makes them feel and rather than dealing with stresses of life, they drink/use then claim they can't deal with out it.
As to other addictions… sex, porn, gambling, etc. I believe they fall into the same category as "food addiction." They like how it makes them feel. They use it instead of dealing with life's stresses then call it an addiction to avoid taking responsibility for themselves. Addiction has a "disease" connotation in society today, as if they are somehow victims of something that is beyond their control and therefore can't be held responsible for it. That is why I think food "addiction" (or any of those others) is more just an excuse.
And for the record… I am one of those who had one of those "other addictions." And I believe that everything I just said applies to me too. So, I'm not saying this as one who has never been there and "just doesn't get it." Believe me. I get it. Big time.0 -
I think comparing garden variety cravings for junk food to an addiction is insulting both to people struggling with disordered eating and with actual addictions. Can you use food as an emotional crutch to avoid dealing with *kitten*? Yeah, absolutely. Is that the same as someone on heroin? God, no. Absolutely not.
Compulsive eating is a thing, keep in mind. It's an actual condition, but it's debilitating. It's life-destroying. People suffering from compulsive eating can knock out up to 15,000 calories a day during a binge. Compulsive overeaters often do lie, cheat and steal to support their habit, and they generally cannot stop without help. That's classic addiction territory right there. Struggling to pass up the cheeseburger when grabbing your kid a happy meal is not.
^This. People can have disordered behaviors surrounding food, but the food itself isn't to blame and is not the cause of the behaviors.
You can't live without food. You can live without substances that are truly addictive.
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In rare cases, such as compulsive over eaters who are hungry all the time or cannot stop despite not being hungry, I think it can be an addiction or like one. I don't think enjoying eating or finding certain specific foods tempting Is in the least, no, and I think that way of thinking of it misunderstands addiction and isn't helpful in losing weight.
I do think both addiction and eating issues can be helped by tools that take the pressure off will power alone, like building habit, mindfulness, and being conscious of and avoiding situations of temptation, as well as understanding when and why your will power may be naturally at a low point.0 -
poohpoohpeapod wrote: »I think people can get addicted to the biological good feelings that sugar and certain simple carbs provide. They affect the brain in some people much more than others. I think some people feel out of control and have difficulty eating these foods in moderation. Sugar has been proven (on pet scans) to light up the same areas of the brain as cocaine does. Call it what you want. Many will say IIFYM however, some of us cant do moderation, thats why we got big in the first place.
I used to think that too. It took going through giving what I thought were "addictive" foods up completely (sugar and starchy carbs) and some time thinking to realize that it was really just my behavior that I couldn't moderate, and that I was making choices. I learned to visualize myself in charge of my choices, and it works. They weren't in the control I was giving them. I'm in control of my dietary choices.
Moderation is possible, but it takes discipline and some work to get there. It's all a head game if you're used to believing that food is in control of you.
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I think comparing garden variety cravings for junk food to an addiction is insulting both to people struggling with disordered eating and with actual addictions. Can you use food as an emotional crutch to avoid dealing with *kitten*? Yeah, absolutely. Is that the same as someone on heroin? God, no. Absolutely not.
Compulsive eating is a thing, keep in mind. It's an actual condition, but it's debilitating. It's life-destroying. People suffering from compulsive eating can knock out up to 15,000 calories a day during a binge. Compulsive overeaters often do lie, cheat and steal to support their habit, and they generally cannot stop without help. That's classic addiction territory right there. Struggling to pass up the cheeseburger when grabbing your kid a happy meal is not.
Yep, my view exactly, but you put it better.0 -
CarrieCans wrote: »CarrieCans wrote: »CarrieCans wrote: »Mariam-Webster defines addiction as a strong or harmful need to have something or do something. Is there a strong need for food, either to cope with stress or to fill a reaction from the body? Eating is certainly habit-forming. No one is saying that it does not take discipline to overcome this habit/addiction. The same is true of any other addiction.
Alcoholics are vigilant, there is a fight everyday to stay sober. There are support structures like AA in place. During meetings people share there thoughts, struggles and cravings. After certain steps are achieved, a sponsor is chosen to help personally guide you through you journey.
In the same way, eating helps people cope with their problems. It is a comforting method of escaping from the real world and its tribulations. If done in excess, it can be very harmful and deadly. When you decide eating has damaged your life enough to make a change, you seek help. After finding that help, you need to be constantly vigilant over your eating, or you may fall prey to over-eating again.
It certainly fits the definition of addiction, and it has a striking number of similarities to other accredited addictions. The difference with food is that we must have it in order to live. An alcoholic can swear off alchol, a drug addict can stop using completely. Someone who is addicted to food still has to eat. Imagine a heavy scotch drinker trying to conquer alcoholism by being told cut back on their scotch intake, or switch to beer! Not going to work. Food can be a very dangerous and addictive stub stance. Failure to recognize that fact is even more dangerous.
No it is not the same and saying that it is trivializing actual addictions.
So then you believe a person can only be addicted to something if it is an illegal or controlled substance?
Nope. Where did I ever say that?
I didn't say you said it. I was asking because it appears that you believe a person who thinks that food addiction is real is trivializing actual addictions.
I may have read that wrong.
You are correct. I do not believe food is an actual addiction. How many people do you know that lost their jobs because they couldn't stop eating? How many have ended up in shelters from spending too much on food? How many started selling their body to pay for the food? How many had their children taken away from them because their "addiction" made CPS believe they are an unfit parent?
I have had problems with addiction. It has never lost me a job, never landed me in a shelter, i have never sold my body, and i have never "lost" a child over it. I have however had issues with working, had frequent moves and even lived in cars and other peoples couches, considered doing demeaning or immoral things and voluntarily gave custody of a child to a family member.
I guess i wasted a lot of time dealing with something that wasn't actually an addiction after all. I never knew it was a requirement to let yourself get that low before you try to do something about it.
The point stands, though. You were a functional addict, but not all addicts are. It would stand to reason that if food is an addiction, that there would be food addicts who would have those things happen. There aren't. Food isn't addictive. People just make bad choices about what to do with it. Food is neutral. We need food, and can't live without it. You never need a substance that's truly addictive.
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Only 6 posts in, and food=cocaine.
That must be a record for MFP.0 -
herrspoons wrote: »Lots of people think they are addicted to food. Most of them are just looking for a reason to fail that isn't their fault.
I think this is a big part of it, and to the extent people are trying to say they can't help it or can't change it, I think they should review how they think about people who are addicts. Because is "sorry I ruined your party, I'm just an alcoholic, couldn't help getting drunk and (insert whatever)" generally accepted or seen as a valid excuse? I wouldn't think so. So nor is food addiction.
As for "food is harder, you can't stop eating," my question is do you really binge on everything? Or are there specific foods you overeat because you like them and others you would never overeat? The latter is me and I got plenty fat and that's not addiction. Nor is emotional eating, which I've done too. Compulsive overeating or binging disorder, where you are eating contrary to any pleasure and in an out of control way? Yeah, at least much closer.
Binging doesn't mean eating 3 cookies instead of one, though. Many binge, but not all overweight people do and the term is overused on MFP, IMO.0 -
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-food-addiction
"The idea that a person can be addicted to food has recently gotten more support from science.
Experiments in animals and humans show that, for some people, the same reward and pleasure centers of the brain that are triggered by addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin are also activated by food, especially highly palatable foods. Highly palatable foods are foods rich in:
Sugar
Fat
Salt
Like addictive drugs, highly palatable foods trigger feel-good brain chemicals such as dopamine. Once people experience pleasure associated with increased dopamine transmission in the brain's reward pathway from eating certain foods, they quickly feel the need to eat again.
The reward signals from highly palatable foods may override other signals of fullness and satisfaction. As a result, people keep eating, even when they're not hungry.
People who show signs of food addiction may also develop a tolerance to food. They eat more and more, only to find that food satisfies them less and less.
Scientists believe that food addiction may play an important role in obesity. But normal-weight people may also struggle with food addiction. Their bodies may simply be genetically programmed to better handle the extra calories they take in. Or they may increase their physical activity to compensate for overeating.
People who are addicted to food will continue to eat despite negative consequences, such as weight gain or damaged relationships. And like people who are addicted to drugs or gambling, people who are addicted to food will have trouble stopping their behavior, even if they want to or have tried many times to cut back."-1 -
Yes, I believe in Food Addiction. I am a recovering addict (alcohol and pot), and I do not get offended when people say one can be addicted to food. In fact, when I was in rehab I was specifically told that a person can get addicted to food and that a recovering alcoholic/drug addict needs to be vigilant that they do not replace one addiction (alcohol) with another (food, gambling, sex, etc).
I roll my eyes when I read:
People aren't addicted to food, it's just an excuse
People can't be addicted to food because they have never done X, Y, or Z (FYI, I never sold my body or lost my mortgage for alcohol, but I am an alcoholic just the same)
You can't be addicted to anything your body needs to live
But as another poster said, if you have never binged to the point where you are in a food coma, then you won't understand.
Also, I am not sure if Binge Eating Disorder and Food Addiction are two separate things. I am still looking into that.
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