[Thunderwolf]

You named one withdrawal symptom though already.

I do have cravings (mainly for fat & sugar) and they can so overwhelm my mind that I can't concentrate on other things.

Just as a reminder to anyone....abstinence can often present symptoms of withdrawal for any behavior that has been overused and now absent. We just need to recognize and accept that as a fact for each other. I would like for us to not get in the mode of saying my habit is worse than yours or yours worse than mine...a habit is a habit, which is just uncomfortable enough all its own. There are discomforts in its overuse and discomforts when faced without it. We all can empathize with the discomfort...for we all share it in one form or another. We also can help each other to rise above it too. Hugs.

[busyrnandmom]

Wow!! You guys read my mind. I think it's also tattooed on my rear right now. Before I went to rehab 7 years ago, I was not hungry when I was using or high. Actually, one of the nurses at the charity hospital where I was working and using called me "10 lbs thinner than a crack baby." If only they knew, or I guess they did. I lost 30 lbs in 30 days detoxing at home from opiates - MISERABLE - and gained 20 lbs in 28 days in rehab. During the last 7 years, my weight had stabilized to 140 lbs.

After LOTS of BP and cardiac problems, I have NO blue jeans, NO slacks, NO NOTHING that fits except pj lounge pants. Embarrassing! I had gotten to the point where my cardiologist is allowing some exercise, and when my hubbie and I wanted to go somewhere, it's like, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO WEAR????????

He is quitting smoking and kind of in the same boat. I started the Special k cereal and grilled chicked breasts and salad 48 hours ago and it is driving me nuts. I don't think I felt much worse detoxing at home from Demerol! Well, yeah it was worse, but this just stinks! And cooking other "good tasting" foods for my 2 stepsons and hubbie, it's hard not to hide in the laundry room or in the bathroom and smuggle a Big Mac out of my purse and not get caught!!

So far, 48 hours, and I haven't gone nuts(I don't think), or gotten caught sitting on top of the dryer wolfing down a "no no" food, as my 9 year old calls it. He is the captain of the food police! Ha!Ha! I think I'll order the book too and give it a try.

Glad I'm not the only one out there suffering!
Anne, RNC

[psyknurs]

I actually do have physical symptoms of withdrawal from not eating sugar. It is a true sickness for me.

[casi]

Thank you to the persons who have created and posted in this thread.

I have a big problem with food, I go through peaks and valleys of acceptance and denial. I'm 24 years old, 268lbs and a size 26. This is the smallest I've been in almost 10 years. I've made a lot of perminant lifestyle changes over the years that have helpped. I no longer eat and entire large bag of M&Ms for breakfast or a bag and a half of barbeque chips for a snack. I've switched from regualar coke to diet and try to limit myself to no more than 2 cans a day.

I really have a love hate relationship with food. I understand that everything is okay in moderation and I understand that on occassion you have to splurge and get a doughnut... My problem is I'll go out and get three doughtnuts instead of one. I have trouble limiting myself to just one serving. If it tastes good and there is still some left, I'll eat it. If I only make enough for one, I'll go make another. I crave foods even if I'm full. Then when I diet I tend to obsess over what I'm eating. I'll read the boxes on everything and get panicy if I slip up...

I'm sorry this was so long, but it felt good to get out.

So those who have utilized programs like weight watches and over eaters anonymous can you explain a little bit more about them and their processes? I've contemplated looking into both as options, but I'm rather afraid to.

[I love my cat!]

Thank you for starting this thread.
My Aunt is what I would consider 'addicted' to food. All she talks about is food. She is constantly grocery shopping or cooking. All conversations will come back to the topic of food. To me, she fixates on food like a drug addict would fixate on scoring their next high.
It makes me so sad because she now has a lot of health problems because she is Morbidly Obese.
You know what is really sad? She actually started going to the community pool and was feeling good about getting out and doing something. I was so happy for her! A woman who also swims (and is aware that my Aunt use to work as an RN) said to her one day, "Wow, I can't believe that a person with your knowledge in the Medical field would let yourself go like you have".
Well, my Aunt quit going to the pool.
I tried to talk to her about it, but now she is so concerned that she will run into this woman again, she doesn't want to go. It makes me angry and sad at the same time. She still won't tell me who said it. Apparently, I know this person!!
Anyway, I will talk more about this when I have time. I really am worried about her.

[busyrnandmom]

Hello and happy dieting to everyone here with us on the thread.of food addiction! Last night if I could have strangled my 15 year old stepson and not gone to jail, I would have!!! For my hubbie and the two boys ages 10 and 15, I cooked their "usual good tasting but has fat content I am not allowing myself to partake in and grilled chicken for me marinated in a little beef broth. I hid my "diet supper" under the lettuce and cucumbers in the crisper drawer knowing they would God forbid NEVER look there much less eat salad. EVERY bit of my grilled chicken was gone! The 15 year old bypassed the rest of supper I made for them which was still on the stove. I was CHAPPED!!!

But I made it through and saw my cardiologist today and lost 6 pounds!! Didn't think it would happen!!!

Anne, RNC

[Spidey's mom]

Originally Posted by flightnurse2b

It can threaten and overwhelm your life just like smoking, drugs, or alcohol. that mind set is one of the reasons why people with COE are hesitant to get help... because they don't think food will kill them.

i am on the other side of the food addiction spectrum. i have been a relapsing and recovering anorexic and bulimic. i use food to punish myself... to gain some form of control over my life... and just when i think i have it under control, i find myself stressed out and wanting to restrict or purge.

i have been hospitalized numerous times for my eating disorders and also have been in many different day groups.... and there was a vast range of us there, sometimes you can't just look at someone and know that they are eating disordered..there are overweight anorexics, and underweight COE's. it is very interesting to see the stereotypes provided for people with various edo's such as anorexics are always 70 pounds, bulimics are alwyas chubby and coe's are always obese... because it is so very untrue!!!

there were anorexics, bulimics and compulsive overeaters there... all for the same reason.... one way or another, we are addicted to food and using it for control... whether it be eating for comfort, overexercising to compensate overeating, or not eating at all.... it is an addiction and a disease that encircles one important part of maintaining life.... eating.

i understand the food addiction and daily struggle with it. food terrifies me. eating is always an internal battle. but the first step in getting better is understanding that it is an addiction and sometimes its too much to try and overcome on your own.

i hope you guys don't mind me joining your group.

Thanks for sharing your story. Welcome to the group!


steph

[DutchgirlRN]

I am a food addict. I eat when I'm sad, I eat when I'm mad, I eat when I'm stressed, I eat when I'm happy, I eat when I'm celebrating, I eat when it's a special occasion, whatever the reason, I eat too much.

I am a size 20 and have been overweight for the better part of 20 years. Last year I lost 35 pounds by taking phenteramine but I started feeling bad with only taking 1/2 pill QD so I went off of it. My blood sugar started going up, my cholesterol went up, I felt bad. (I have never had abnormal labs before) All of my labs have returned to normal since being off of the phenteramine. I have gained about 15-20 lbs back over the past 6 months so I'm relieved I didn't gain it all back really quickly. One other time about 10 years ago I lost 40 pounds (Slim-Fast) and of course eventually gained it back. Those are the only 2 times I've lost. I don't yo-yo diet.

I do not like to exercise by myself and cannot seem to get motivated.

I am convinced that simple carbohydrates are my downfall. If I can stay off of white sugar, white flour, white potatoes, white rice, white bread, etc...then I can control what goes in my mouth.

A high protein/low carb diet works well for me but I get so constipated I don't know what to do. I can't live the rest of my life taking a daily fleets enema.

[rastanursern]

It feels so good to know I'm not alone. I've been telling myself that I'm a food addict and that I need help. I eat ALL THE TIME, when I'm happy, sad, broke, depressed, joyfull, bored, and when I'm full, I am constantly thinking/obsessing about food. Fantasizing about what i could be eating. I thank God I'm not completely overweight....... yet! I'm getting there slowly. I want to lose weight, but not at the expense of eating what I want....when I want it. I love food, I don't understand how ppl can starve themselves! Maybe I need to join one of those support groups or something.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by rastanursern

I want to lose weight, but not at the expense of eating what I want....when I want it.

Let me know how that works.

That attitude is one that I have and isn't working well for me.