Despite the title of this post, there is no need to contact the Feds. I of course cannot help anyone find their next narcotics fix. But, it does get me thinking...
The other day I was watching a show documenting several drug addicts who were in the process of recovering. One particular individual really got my attention. He was a meth addict leaving a rehabilitation center and about to enter a halfway house. While touring the halfway house, the counselor went over some rules with him, one being that if he EVER becomes high or brings meth into the house, he is immediately turned out on his butt even if it is at 2:00am.
The documentary followed him for a time, and interviewed him once he was at the halfway house. He was captured one evening telling the camera how hard it was to face reality. He said, "I never expected these emotions to be so powerful. Normally when I felt overwhelmed or anxious, I would just go and get high. It's really hard to face reality right now". His story really got me thinking about all of us food addicts.
These recovery drug addicts couldn't use ANY drugs. PERIOD. However, we food addicts have to keep eating, regardless of our addiction. We can't just stay away from food. Could you imagine what it would be like for recovery drug addicts if they had drugs readily available at all times.
What would it be like if there was crack in their food pantries and refrigerators? In every single gas station location? On every single street corner? Cracky's, "Get your old fashioned crack here", McCrackalds, Crack King, Crack Bell, Crackway, Crack Castle ...etc. They have WHOLE stores devoted just to drugs...Drug Lion, Harris Drugs, Druglix, ...etc. Could you imagine sitting next to a drug addict at a baseball game, "Crack! Crack! Get your fresh crack here!". How would these poor people ever start to imagine a recovery from their addiction? How would they ever be expected to drive past twenty drug dealers, openly advertising easy, fresh and warm crack on their way to work everyday?
Unfortunately, with our addiciton, our "drug" is everywhere. It's a wonder that people are so hard on the over-weight and obese. We are facing quite a difficult battle. Unlike alcoholics and other drug addicts, we must continue to get our "fixes" but we can only have small, moderate "fixes" we can't just stop eating all together. How much is too much for us? Is it okay to have just a little of that? Or should we go ahead an have a lot of that? This addiction is hard folks. There are no concrete lines drawn in the sand or rules for us to follow.
We all have to do our best, whatever that may be for us. This recovery from food addiction is very personal and not cut and dry, and this recovery is far from easy.
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19 comments:
I think that is a really interesting way to look at things. I just wish more people would realize that what we have going on really is an addiction.
- Kendall
www.fattymcfatterson.wordpress.com
Amen, sister! I totally getcha. The same things I have said a million times--you can't go cold turkey from food and one little taste of one of your red light foods can set you on an eating streak that will undo weeks of hard work. It is super hard. I wish there was a magic pill...
Bethany
My main food addiction was to chocolate. I used to hide in my room and binge on chocolate in large quantities almost daily. In the early 1990's I went through hypnosis aversion therapy for this one item, and I have not had any chocolate since then, almost 15 years ago. I wish I could say hypnosis worked as well for general food issues, but it didn't for me...it seems to work better with one specific food item. I still have a lot of food issues, but at least I feel somewhat more stable in my overall eating habits now that I don't eat chocolate...
Not just crack available - they'd have to have three small portions of crack a day!
I have always said that if I could just give up food, it would all be OK! It's true, moderation is very hard.
Missed ya!
I LOVE THIS POST.
so true and I so often have talks with a friend who laments precisely that:
that she has to do her drug in MODERATION every day. and what a struggle that is.
every.day.
MizFit
One of the leaders at the Weight Watchers I go said that over the years he has given up alcohol, quit smoking, and, of course, lost weight. He said no question about it, keeping weight off was the hardest of the three.
This is so true; it gets me thinking, and searching for some sort of help for those of us who must deal with our drug ALL DAY long. Perhaps here are some tips?? 1. Never watch commericals. Those crack, he, hem, pizza commercials will get you.
2. Never flip through magazines like Southern Living, Cooking, Bon Apetit, etc. The pictures of the foods and recipes will getcha.
3. Never stock your pantry or fridge with ANYTHING other than foods that you KNOW you will not binge on. Like: most non-starchy veggies, low-fat meats, ......I'm left looking for more, but can't think of any :)
4. Never go out to eat.
5. Don't leave your home. You might drive by a fast-crack location.
6. Never go to a friends' house. They might have OREOS!!!!!! And, you might just eat every last one, and then inhale the crumbs that are left, just for good measure.
That should just about cover it. Good luck ladies!!
Yes! Yes! Yes! I agree completely.
The only way I've found to "cure" myself of the addiction (though like any addiction, there's no real cure, there are just different ways of managing it) is to radically overhaul the way I look at food.
Instead of obsessing over what I SHOULDN'T be eating, I try to focus on what I NEED to eat in order to stay healthy. In other words, lots of vegetables and whole grains. I don't control my portions or count calories or anything -- I just make sure that 50% of my food at each meal is vegetables, 25% is protein, and 25% is complex carbs. Whenever I eat food in these proportions, I end up feeling full and satisfied and have better energy, too.
I actually just wrote a post about that on my own blog. If you're interested, you can check it out here:
http://blobarella.blogspot.com/2009/01/hunger.html
... It's when I cave and start munching on chocolate or potato chips that things start getting nasty. Doh! Stupid refined carbs! They're so good on the tongue, but man, they always leave me feeling bloated and crappy afterwards.
cookies are my crack! So glad they are out of the house for now!
You know, you raise a good point here, as do your commenters - Food can be drugs, and moderation can be difficult. For me, I think calorie counting and such is putting one's self in food prison. Food is something to be enjoyed in addition to providing nutrients - that's why we have taste buds! However, I found what has been working for me is portion control instead of moderation. Teaching myself what a serving size is *supposed* to be and sticking to it no matter what has definitely shown results. Also, looking into low/no calorie snack options like celery and pickles to get me over hunger pangs. It is really tough, but it has definitely been easier (and guilt free) to ENJOY food again because I know I had the correct portion of it.
Hey Lynn - just checking in to see how you are doing.....hope all is well!
So right on. And not only is food easily accessible....it's also legal! And VITAL to live. Grrrr....the love hate relationship with food is an ugly one, isn't it?
When you get a chance, come check us out at thebungblog.blogspot.com :)
hey girlie........hope you are okay and just out enjoying life ;)
I have often thought about the plight of us food addicts as opposed to illegal drugs or alcohol addicts. We can't just swear off food, or go cold turkey... we do that, we die. There is no way around it.
I try to mute the TV when commercials come on, so that hopefully we'll avoid food and restaurant advertisements. I don't get magazines any more. But, unfortunately, Hubby loves to eat out. That makes it hard for me. That's why I'm changing my life (diet) one week one habit at a time.
Please check out my blog: www.veegettinghealthy.blogspot.com - I could use the support! Vee
Hello! I came across your blog and I have enjoyed reading it! Keep up the good work!
:) tj
tjstestkitchen.blogspot.com
Hey you've been MIA lately. Just checking in to see how you're doing!
I know what you mean, you can't live without food!
I try to take it just one day at at a time!
Just wanted to say HI and wondering how you're doing.
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