If you struggle with your weight and have obsessional thought about food  you could have what the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) is now calling an addiction. The ASAM recently changed the definition of addiction which now includes food along with other addictive substances such as drugs and alcohol. The important new thought is that addictions are now considered to be a chronic neurological disorder or disease of the brain. Addictions “high jack” the brain and create obsessive or compulsive thoughts that lead to weight and health problems. Despite the negative consequences the addicted eater seeks out and keeps using and over-using the very substances that are so harmful to them.

It is important to understand that an addiction is not a willpower  problem. Research shows addictions are usually inherited. Genetics make it 50% more likely you will have an “addictive personality.” That means there is an increased  tendency or predisposition for addictive substances to get you. Using addictive substances  heavily before the age of 21 increases the odds especially for someone at risk. Using large quantities of it can also trigger a problem. This coupled with an inability to deal with the up’s and down’s of life  or to deal with feelings makes matters worse.   This disease overwhelms the pleasure reward circuitry of the brain and can over time cause a mood imbalance. Could this be a reason why so many people are now on antidepressants? Can healing our food issues begin to change our mood problem?

The most important piece of information to understand is that according to Scripps Research Institute, compulsive eating shares the same addictive biochemical mechanism as cocaine and heroin abuse. Processed sugar used in packaged foods is the prime offender. All snack food, baked goods and even processed/packaged foods are in this category of food.

Because an addiction is a chronic disease, it does not go away and can only be managed. Managing it includes increasing your coping mechanisms and learning how to express and feel your feelings. Relapse is part of the disease. By understanding the nature of the addiction, those who suffer from it can move away from the shame. Shame and guilt are low vibration emotions. They bring on more addictive behavior. Learning how to deal with our feelings, stress and whatever other purpose the addictive eating may be serving is the way out as well as “seeing the food” differently. This is what I teach. I would recommend ordering the Nirvana Diet™ program for weight loss or start with stress reduction. You can also reach out to me if you want to continue this dialogue.