Sugar Addiction?

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Is there really such a thing?

This is something I've wondered about for a long time, mainly because my own behavior with sugar mirrors my experiences with alcohol........I can't seem to grasp the concept of moderation, it's either complete abstinence or total loss of control. When I'm not eating sweets, I feel very healthy and vigorous, but as soon as I fall off the wagon I literally eat every sweet thing I can get my hands on, and feel like death warmed over the next day: headachy, hung over, moody, and tired.

My sister has a theory about my problems being interrelated because alcohol does convert to sugar in the body, and both substances act on me in much the same way (except I don't get combative and roll around in the grass half-naked when I eat candy or cake). I'm not sure she's wrong. But all the research I've done is inconclusive.......seems that there are strong beliefs on both sides of the debate, with very little middle ground. Most of the so-called experts either totally deny the possibility that one can be physically and/or emotionally addicted to sugar, or make blanket statements condemning it as the worst poison on the planet.

What I'm looking for is not only hard science, but peoples' experiences. Are there others out there as messed-up as I am? How do you deal with the cravings, and how do you feel when you indulge? Have you learned to control your consumption of sweet treats, or are you always just one bite away from a binge? And do any of you who are recovering alcoholics like me find that you have a similar problem with sweets?

I'm looking forward to your responses, as I'm trying to face the fact that I need to give up sugar for good and I need to know that if I have to suffer, there's a legitimate reason!:o

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Same way for me--it's either all or nothing, with no ground in between (ESPECIALLY with CHOCOLATE sweets:devil: ). I went off of sweets about 2 weeks ago and hope to stay off!!!! (I'm doing this for ME--I want to eat to LIVE, not live to EAT!!!)

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I crave sugar like a crave a cigerette (without the tears....sometimes). I tried Atkin's for a week, and had a heck of a time giving up sugar. I used the sweetner in my coffee-but ended up using half a dozen a day. (sometimes more) It was he** going to the grocery store and standing in the check-out line. I had to leave every cent at home when I went to work because of the vending machines. The worst part is that when I finally gave up on the Atkin's- it had alot to do with not being able to eat sugar!

I do believe, from my own experience, that people do become addicted to it.

Edited by Jena.

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mjlrn...I think your onto some thing. I am a former addict myself and noticed when I stopped a few years ago that I now turn to chocolate, some times it's an all consuming thought until I have it. I even hide it around the house.

I also get sever migraine from it but it seems not to matter....until the other day, I had one so severe that my BF wanted to take me to the ER...2 pills of Zomig didn't help it was awful. Needless to say I won't go near the stuff right now, but I doubt that would last too long.

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Dr. Atkins had written alot about sugar addiction ( I think he called it dependency) in his first run book. I can see the relationship of sugar and alcohol addiction. Not sure if a was an alcoholic per se, but I sure did abuse it. We do the same when we overeat. Take in excess to fufill whatever.

Your body craves more and more. If one glass of wine was good, three are great. If one honey bun is good, another warmed up with some ice cold milk is better.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Originally posted by iliel

mjlrn...I think your onto some thing. I am a former addict myself and noticed when I stopped a few years ago that I now turn to chocolate, some times it's an all consuming thought until I have it. I even hide it around the house.

I also get sever migraine from it but it seems not to matter....until the other day, I had one so severe that my BF wanted to take me to the ER...2 pills of Zomig didn't help it was awful. Needless to say I won't go near the stuff right now, but I doubt that would last too long.

See, that's what comes to my mind when I think of the term "addiction": obsessing over, seeking out, and (in this case) consuming a certain substance, no matter what the consequences. It can be cocaine, ETOH, heroin, amphetamines, or DingDongs: if it occupies your mind and you're unhappy until you get it, if you know darned well it makes you feel like something the dog dug up and you want it anyway........THAT'S ADDICTION!!

Thanks for your candor, iliel. You've helped clear up something that's confused me for a long time, and even if it's not hard science, it makes perfect sense to me....and makes my decision to give up sugar entirely a little less painful. Now I realize that I can't help the way my body reacts to it, but that also means leaving it alone because I CAN'T control how much I eat......I can't have just two cookies, anymore than I can have just two beers!! I've fooled myself for years, thinking I could have "just a bite" or "only one piece" and be satisfied.......but all that did was wake up the cravings, and sooner or later (usually sooner) I was back to my old tricks.

Nope....it's gotta go. There are so many good things to eat that DON'T have sugar.......some can even be made with Splenda.....and I've got to learn to adapt my recipes so that when I get to Phase Three of my program, maintenance, I can have the occasional treat without messing myself up.

Thanks again!

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I think there is a lot of truth to people being addicted to carbohydrates. I've found that I am actually more tired and run down after eating a lot of carbs because of the surge then drop in blood sugar and feel better if I limit my carbs. unfortunately, it takes about a week to start to feel better, and it's harder than heck to do.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Yes......but NOT impossible, as I can attest. And the payoff, in terms of feeling better and having more energy, is worth the withdrawal!

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I crave salty things . . . . so my downfall would be a big bag of Doritos or a bowl of parmesan cheese popcorn or chips and salsa with a Diet Pepsi or Cheetos . . . .

Of course, I did eat a piece of blackberry pie last night with ice cream on top . . . but I don't CRAVE it like salty things.

I want to eat to live too . . . .but I live to eat unfortunately.

steph

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Sugar releasese some kind of endorphin like substance and causes some kind opiod like addiction in some people. They've done studies on cranky babies and those given some sugar water act better.

I'm like Steph though. I like my carbs to come with salt. Doritoes have always been my downfall.

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I know there is a relationship between alcoholism and sugar consumption. When a relative of mine was in rehab they told the patients to stay away from candy,which is automatically something they crave when detoxing and for some time thereafter. For some reason I remember it can be a trigger as well, sending them into extreme physical cravings for alcohol.

I would imagine that sugar itself can be addictive. It certainly can affect how a person feels if they do or do not have it. The cravings are real. A fix is a fix man! :chuckle

Someone in a post above mentioned that alcohol is converted into sugar in the body. It is, and that does kinda make sense that the two are related, and probably both as addictive.

I am going to attempt to quit smoking here soon. I can see it now, not being able to handle all of this at once, breaking down and someone finding me in a closest, chocolate all over my mouth, a cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other with a stupid grin on my face! :roll We'll see how it goes!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

This is good information, Lisa. Thank you!

Also loved the mental picture of you hiding in a closet with a crazed look on your face, chocolate mess everywhere, beer sloshing around and a cigarette hanging out of your mouth!:chuckle

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