Compulsive Eating in Recovery
Compulsive Eating in Recovery
Most addicts used their drugs as a means of coping with negative emotions and the day to day stressors of life. Taking away the drug, in early recovery, leaves a void in its place. If not filled properly with life skills and stress management, the addict may find him or herself feeling empty.
As an addictions therapist, working in a Utah rehab treatment center, one of the most common forms of secondary compulsive behaviors I have seen, in addicts new to recovery, is that of compulsive eating. People in early recovery complain that they cannot help themselves piling up their plates or going for seconds.
The midbrain is a small part of the brain responsible for rewarding us in our survival behaviors. In concert with the rest of the reward center in the lower rear section of the brain, it causes our impulses and cravings for food and drink. This part of the brain is hyperactive in addicts, due to the history of drug use.
When an addict eats a particularly tasty meal, a larger than normal rewarding neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger in the nervous system) is released, causing a sense of well-being. Not unlike the process of using drugs for pleasure and relief, this same process, albeit on a smaller scale, occurs with the eating of palate-pleasing food.
Weight gain is not always a good thing in early recovery. Once achieving the goal weight, addicts must work towards maintaining that healthy weight. Excessive eating leads to feelings of guilt and shame, which are common enemies of the recovering addict.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with compulsive eating, as addiction therapists we are particularly suited to aiding in the recovery from this compulsive behavior. Getting it under control as soon as possible will benefit the addict in getting to a place of greater self-control and in preventing a possible relapse, associated with compulsive eating. Call us today for more information 1-877-593-6777.
