Food Addiction & Addiction Transfer

Hello everyone!

I am a licensed psychologist currently working for the IU Health Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss in Indianapolis, IN. I have been involved in working with people with various types of eating disorders for over 10 years now. Traci has asked that I write about a rarely talked about phenomenon called ‘Addiction Transfer’.

First off, we have to first talk about “food addiction”. Now, there is a lot of controversy about whether or not food can be addictive. This has to do with the way the brain works and how the major components of substance abuse addiction affect the body. These components consist of tolerance (becoming immune to the effects of taking in the same amount of a substance over time and therefore needing more of that substance to have the same effect) and withdrawal that then causes craving (that is, having specific effects after the substance has been metabolized through the body). Some people argue that these factors are operative with food. Others say that they are not, that food does not have these kinds of effects on the body. Let’s leave biology alone for now (not my specialty anyway!) and focus more on the psychological side of things.

We probably need to focus on the abuse of food to understand “food addiction.” The abuse of food happens when we begin to use food for reasons other than simply to keep our body’s energy supply at an appropriate level. Eating because you are depressed, reaching for food when you are bored, thinking that you need that cake to make you feel better…These are all emotional reactions that use have food abuse at the core because they use food to cope. That is the sign of food abuse: when a person depends on food to help them get through a situation. Just as with any other addiction, there is a sense of loss of control over being able to stop this behavior. Even though the individual can see their pattern is harmful, they continue the destructive behavior.

Now, the “transfer addiction” problem emerges for those, like Bariatric patients, who have had that primary means of coping taken away. However, the feelings that drove the search for food may not have been addressed before or during surgery. We all know that surgery is the tool, not the miracle cure. So, you may still have those feelings of depression or still be bored. But food is no longer an option. This is the point where a person may seek out other substances such as alcohol or drugs. Or, they may engage in new destructive behaviors, like gambling or shopping, to fill the void that food once did for them. The problem, as you can see, is that the real issue is never appropriately addressed and therefore, these destructive patterns just continue.

The first important step one must take to stop this harmful pattern is to be aware. So many Americans engage in “mindless eating”; that is, reaching for food without thinking why they are doing so. In fact, eating because one is appropriately hungry seems to be one of the least used motivators for eating these days. And in these situations, we make poor choices, we eat too much and we aren’t aware of all of the qualities of the food we are eating (for instance, not noticing the texture, the smell, and sometimes, even the taste). So, the next time you reach for food, or alcohol, or your purse to go shopping, ask yourself “what am I hungry for?”. Seriously. Simply stopping and asking this question makes you consider what you are doing in that moment. And that is the moment that you can choose to assess what you are doing. Then once you have figured out that “hey, I’m just bored” you can choose to act in a different way. Maybe you aren’t hungry, just bored. Well, then you can choose to do something else (take a walk, call someone, crochet (my favorite!).)

Awareness, assessment action. These are the keys to change.

If you find that you are unable to stop this on your own, please consider talking a professional about this. Addictive behaviors are harmful to you, your relationships and ultimately your health.

Best wishes to all of you in your journey to better health!

~Kim Gorman Ph.D HSPP
Licensed Psychologist

Learning to let go...

Learning to let go..

I recently read an article about learning to let go. This applies to so many of us on different levels of our lives. One that caught my attention was “Stop holding on to clothes that don’t fit”. How many of us have an array of sizes in our closets either the too big section or the too small section?

Having weight loss surgery changes our physical appearance in such a dramatic way but so many of us truly don’t see those changes when we look in the mirror. It’s difficult at times for our minds to catch up to what has really happened to our bodies. Many of us lived for years as obese people trying to hide not only behind the walls we physically created but also with the clothes we wore.

So my fellow WLS friends – What’s in your closet?

Maybe it’s time to let go of the old you and start embracing the new you!

Birthday Wishes...

For my birthday today I received many well wishes and cards along with this gentle reminder about focusing on things that truly matter! One of my goals for 2011 is not to reflect on what has gone wrong in the past instead make my daily life a reflection of what truly matters to me! Enjoy...

What matters most in life is often viewed as peripheral to the things that we usually focus on. Passion takes a backseat to production, wellness to working, and balance to busyness. The old adage that “life is not a dress rehearsal” is so true, and yet we act to the contrary by putting off what is truly important or indulging in things that are not. On your birthday, stop focusing on your age and start meditating on your life at this exact moment. Spend more time with family and friends, take care of your body and health by eating well and exercising regularly, and offer to help others in need. Discover what matters most to you, and make your daily life into a true reflection of those ideas, beliefs and attitudes!

Thank You and Quote about our "Inner Fire"

I can across a quote that made me think about many of my WLS friends and those who have been a part of my journey. “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit!” ~ Albert Schweitzer

Think about those times in your journey when you were struggling, feeling overwhelmed, or your inner fire went out and who was there to spark that fire and pick you back up. Take a minute today to send that person/persons a card, email or text message and let them know how much they are appreciated. Think of family, friends, mentors, colleagues, doctors, dieticians, or someone who has inspired you!

Thanks to all of you who have touched my life during my WLS journey. I would not be the person I am today without your support!

Happy Holidays!

This is the time of year for celebrations, parties, presents and everyone is very FOOD-Focused. Make this year about focusing on you and your health. Turn your focus to gratitude and goals. Send emails/cards to those who have been by your side during your journey and let them know how grateful you are. Make a list of your goals and share those with the people you will be spending your holiday time with. Ask for support from others to help you stay on task and reach your goals. Remind yourself why you chose this journey in the beginning and give yourself a pat on the back for what you have accomplished to date.

If you are celebrating at someone’s house offer to take a food choice that you can eat. When others push food items on you kindly say “Thank You” and then pass on the item. Tell yourself it’s OK to say NO. Other ways to deal with food: Eat before you go to a party, carry a drink with you at all times because we don’t eat and drink at the same time, don’t congregate around the food table, stay out of the kitchen and when everyone is done eating offer to help clean up to keep yourself busy and put away the leftovers.

If things get to overwhelming and you find yourself in a situation you don’t want to be in, remove yourself from the environment and go text/email or call a friend to help you. That’s what your WLS friends are for!! Asking for support is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and to others during these times when everything is very food focused.

You are in control of your life! You have choices and during this holiday season make the choice to take care of you by eating healthier. You are worth it!

Remember you deserve to live a happy healthy life!

Have a safe and warm holiday season!