Ruhu's Journal, 10 April 2013

Really? Yikes! Good on you for identifying it but .... what's the answer? What's the checklist for that? Is this after all the other inventory (thirst, crave, etc) or part of it?  

I commend you on the dedication to researching the subject and continuing to grow. Excellent for you. Please keep me posted as to what you discover from this "Dr. Ruth" experiment. As you know I am a sugar lover myself and would love to know more as you uncover it. 

Food acts as a drug to help numb me from life's stress. I have friends in AA and I relate to their experiences - just substitute chocolate for alcohol.  

"I have friends in AA and I relate to their experiences - just substitute chocolate for alcohol. 10 Apr 13 by member: BuffyBear " Sorry Ruhu .... Buffybear -- Your comment and comparison is way of the mark. -J 

Deadcenter - Point well taken! I agree that this sounded like I was trivializing true addiction (was going to qualify the remark but had to cut it short being at work). What I intended to communicate is that I can see similarities between abuse of alcohol and abuse of food. May we agree on that?  

I think sugar & food can be very addictive, hence we also have OA & 12 step programs for food addiction. I've certainly felt a temporary "sugar high" & the effects of a "sugar hangover", and read more & more lately about the addicting aspects of sugar, especially given the dramatic increase in processed foods. I'm curious, though, DC, what you don't see that compares?  

BB - no harm done and thank you for the clarification. Ruhu, I am not disputing food disorders are not real and considered a disease. I do think that one is and always has been part of the genetic code. The other (food) was created by man over time and has been passed down from generation to generation ( a product of society). Poor quality food in our food chain has made the obesity problem worse in this country. That is at the hand of man. If everyone ate raw foods and non processed foods I'm not sure that problem would exist and I think obesity would be extremely limited. Take a look at some really old photos (early 1800 maybe). Very few over weight people in those photos if any at all. We are products of our environment if we allow ourselves to be. And it is much easier to give in rather then fight and be different. We are different in the sense that we are trying to be better. This is harder and goes against what the average Joe would do. Always easier to go with the flow, always easier to order out, ignorance is bliss, true very true. However, quality is something you need to work at. This does not come free. You and I both know that. Because we made a choice to be better (choice the key word) we do not fall victim to obesity. That for you and I is the good part, the rewarding part of working hard to be better. Sugar rush - Oh yeah. I get that. Never really experienced a true sugar high until this stage of my life and diet. Wow can I get a rush now. I'm not sure I like all the jitters that comes with it, for me it is worse than caffeine overload. This happens to me only when I over eat on a particular sugary something. For me that something has been granola. I'm addicted to it. The smell alone drives me crazy. Very, very hard to resist. But, I have an addictive personality and I know that and my history backs that up. So, I try to resist, give in here and there, and if I binge, I binge. I simply try real hard to keep from binging these days. Or at the least stop before it becomes utterly ridiculous. Stopping is hard enough. Stopping before stupid is even harder. Alcoholism is a different story and really for a different forum. However, I will say that most individuals do not have control over their drinking as most OA's do not have control over their binges. The difference to me is like smoking. One you are killing only yourself and the other you are killing yourself and everyone around you. I don't know too many people who have eaten a box of devil dogs and then proceeded to smash their car into another killing someone. I do know that happens with alcohol and drugs putting them in a totally different class than food addictions. That being one reason why I commented on BB's comment. Sorry, I got off on a rant here. Ill cut out here and if you would like to further discuss this topic we can take it offline. Have a great day. -J  

j, please "rant" (your word, not mine -- I really appreciate your clarification) here anytime! it's how we learn & grow in this process. And, I have learnt much from your take on food addiction & totally get your point of view. You are absolutely right that those drunk or high on drugs can cause tragic deaths, devastating accidents, etc. harming others in ways that cannot be changed or taken back, while food/sugar addicts slowly kill themselves & their relationships with others. Thanks again for sharing & opening my eyes to another point of view! 

Anytime Ruhu, The support goes both ways. As I appreciate and look forward to your input and comments as well.