Food Addiction Support Group

I am so on the same boat.. I have been trying to give up sugar for ten years.. since I was 15 and it is the hardest thing I have ever done. I eat some kind of sugar everyday.. I did learn from a therapist that sugar is a molecule away from coccaine. That affects the part of the brain that cause addictions obviously.. So I could use some suggestions also.. Oh by the way hi! I just signed up today and in some serious need of being around other people who share the same addiction. I just turned 25 this month and hope to be thin by 30.

I understand; I'm 31 and I really thought I'd have this sorted out by now. I've been binge eating since I was a kid; I grew up in an abusive home and used food to escape. The problem is I still do this!

Yes, I have read a lot about sugar and how addictive it is. I once even read that if sugar had to pass all the tests today to get approval to be on the market, it would be considered a drug, not a food.

Sugary things are always what I go for when I binge.

I'm going to try to give up sugar tomorrow. The past few months, I've been allowing myself small amounts, because all my friends keep saying that total depervation leads to total binging....

....but, the thing is, none of my friends are food addicts. It's not the same for them.

I think, for a binge eater and sugar addict like me, having a small amount of sugar is like telling an alcoholic that they can have a small amount of alcohol.

I've tried and tried this past while to "just have a little" but all it seems to do is make me want more and binge. Like I did today.

So, tomorrow I'm trying a new approch: cold turkey, no sugar.

Also, years and years ago, I did have my eating disorder under control for quite a while, and I did it by eliminating all sugar!

Unfortunelty, I've gone totally off the rails for years, but will try the no sugar approach again....

....if you want a "sugar free" partner and friend, let me know ;-)

Hi there, thank you so much for sharing!! I completely know how you feel and am so ready to end this and move on with my life. everyday i feel like todady i'm going to change, but then i give in and binge on sugar. i feel horrible afteer, tired, depressed and know i would feel so much better if i could just remove the sugar from my diet i feel like i would have a chance. my mother had said that i never had sugar when i was little but when i would have it i would totally freak out and get hyper, i definitly think i have a sensitibitiy to it, but can't get past the first 2 days of withdrawl. i really want to do this and start living my life. I'd love to be here to give and get support through this!

Hi Gonnamakeit!
I would love to be your sugar free partner! I'll start tomorrow and go cold turkey with you with no sugar. i hear if we can make it a week that's the hardest part. i would love to have a partner!

Absolutely giving up sugar is the best thing you can do for binge eating. I gave it up for 2 full weeks to get it out of my system, used the south beach diet and it was the key. (Too bad I didn't stick with it). It is an addiction. If I have a bite of sugar, then Im in it for the day. If I can hold off, I don't feel like I have to have it. There is a book I am reading called "Shrink Yourself" It is very good as far as insight into binge eating and food addiction. It's upstairs and I'm too lazy to go get it, but if you need the author let me know and I'll get it for you. Right now I am trying not to binge. I am going on vacation next week and the food will be such a challenge. We're going with another family and I know they will be bringing lots of snacky things and not so healthy things because that's the way they eat and they are all relatively thin. How fair is that? Oh well, I will do my best but still enjoy myself. Good luck to you mgates. You can do it.

Hi, my name is Sunni B. I am an alcoholic/addict with 25+ years clean & sober. I realized a long time ago that food was an issue as well, but failed many times at many different ways trying to control my eating. About two years ago, after dealing with drug, work, and relationship addictions, I understood that my eating was in the same category and kept thinking I should be able to use the 12-step model to handle this issue too, but the problem is you can't abstain completely. Work has a little of the same issue as well as co-dependence so I still thought there has to be a way. So on January 13, 2008, I gave up sugar (refined, not carbs which sometimes turn to sugar in your system). I thought I was doing terrifically (and I was feeling great with very slow downturn of my weight, though nothing immediately gratifying in that area)until I picked up a book about food addiction one night at Barnes & Nobles called "Anatomy of Food Addictions: The Chemistry of Overeating" by Anne Katherine. I started reading and was hooked, but before I bought it I thought "right, how many books have you picked up before and then never read beyond the first few pages?" I did buy it and have read up to the part about long-term after giving up sugar after a year. You see I found out that though I had given it a good try that I was still eating and drinking things that triggered sugar desire or acted the same way as sugar in my system. So, the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2008, I gave up all the 'other' forms of sugar/triggers. Sounds steep I know, but it is one day at a time that comes in handy. By talking to you guys about this right now, I think I just discovered where I have gone off track recently. No, I have not eaten Sugar, but I have been having tough days at not eating too much (though good food). I know I am eating emotionally, and some days the craving is as bad as the first month not eating sugar. I did stop doing the exercises in the addictions book. I read through and went back to do the exercises in each Chapter, but my worklife got crazy and I stopped doing the written work. I am sure that has not helped and with regular life happening, I have had no real outlet for awhile. The people I asked to be my support system have had their own hard events recently, so I have not felt comfortable laying my fears and worries on them. Mine are important to me, but not as pressing as theirs. So, that's why I decided to try to find an online support group. As for the sugar thing, when I do get a really strong almost can't stand it craving, I do what someone got close to in an earlier blog, I imagine that whatever sugary thing I am craving is a drug. I picture it as Speed, Heroin, alcohol, whatever - because I will not touch any of those substances and sugar is as bad for me as any of those things are. It is interesting some days when I am doing this, because I work in a government office and I walk through the cublicles and in every section there is a treat area. It is piled with goodies for that afternoon pick me up, all sugar practically. I then realize that many of my coworkers (who work in the 'helping' professions) are 'high' on sugar while they help folks with life issues! If sugar WAS considered a drug, they wouldn't be in their job! That makes me sad and it's ironic at the same time. So, I will go back to doing my assignments from my addictions book and hope to stay in touch with others who are trying to make their way in this sugar laden world. The hardest for me is looking at EVERY label and asking at Every restaurant that there be no sugar in what is prepared. I hate calling attention to my plight. So, I do not go out often and when I do it is usually with my 'support' people who have agreed to be in this role. PS - I am older now and it is easier for me to say this, but for those writing about losing weight or doing it for the 'outside' reason, I am here to tell you that you may be disappointed. It is a very slow and a complicated 'undoing' of old ways and thinking that does not take off weight like a 'fad' diet will. On the positive side is that there are many side benefits that will amaze you. I have very few headaches, when I used to have them 4-5 times a week. I wake up clear and ready for the day. My joints don't complain when I get up in the morning (thought it was a too early sign of aging). I usually have more energy and more sustainable momentum. I am trying to get more exercise, but still haven't been consistent. I am fairly busy and active, but work at a desk, so I am still searching for something I can truly incorporate into my life as a consistent excerise. I used to teach dance, but that has been sporadic as of late, and not enough to really be called consistent. Thanks for 'letting' me go on and on, it helped me and I hope it helped at least one of you. Love, your sister on this journey, Sunni

Thank you all for your comments! It's so helpful to learn you're not alone! I've done some research and learned just how horrile sugar is for you and i know how horrible i feel after, but i feel so weak in trying to give it up! it's like the urge to eat it outweighs all the horrible things it does to you. I went three days with no sugar and could totally feel the difference, then i broke, i definitly need some tools like SunniB said, i've started journaling, but it just doesn't seem to replace the urge to binge... so fustrated! i just want to move on with my life and enjoy it, but instead all i feel is complete sadness. It's a crutch i just can't get away from!!!!

Hi everyone, I'm new and glad to be here with all of you. Great topic! Sugar makes me mentally ill. It seems that flour can be a major trigger to get me into sugar also. I lose myself when I eat sugar and flour.

LIfe is much more pleasant without it. Though, I am still addicted to sugar substitutes, but have found stevia to be a less addictive substance.

I'm also in AA, and it's been great reading each of your input. I still need to realize that sugar is poison. I still romanticize it sometimes. And as Sunni said, I will overeat good foods too.

Food has taken on a world of it's own in me over the years. I've lost 100 lbs, put 40 back on, and I've been maintaining here, but still on the edge! I've found the 12 steps to be most helpful, as in asking my Higher Power to restore me to sanity, as compulsive overeating is insane for me. Be well, all, Denise

hi there, thank you all for all the support, so today is day 4 of no sugar and really starting to feel the difference, oh my goodnes it feels good!

Good topic,

yeah sugar and me never had a healthy relationship either, its great when i abstain, Im 39 now, my weight is manageable when i stick to low glyceamic foods, and avoid refined sugars, or substitute triggers. But every day isnt a cake walk, more like working out how to walk over the cake and keep the energy in me going forward . thanks.