While society and the medical profession have readily understood alcoholism and drug abuse, it is only in recent years that there has been an interest in the fact that persons may be addicted to food in the same way. This assertion is somewhat controversial, and many experts do not believe in food addiction even though there is research that supports it.

When any substance is taken into the body regardless of its potential for harm or in excess of need, that substance is said to be abused. Individuals who abuse substances in such a way are addicts; these persons become physiologically and mentally dependent upon certain substances, in this case food.

One need only ask themselves a few key questions to determine his or her addiction:

• Do you eat when you are not hungry or when you feel low or depressed?
• Do you eat in secret or eat differently in front of others than when you’re alone?
• Do you consume inordinate amounts of food and then purge later with vomiting or laxatives to get rid of the excess?
• Are there foods that are harmful to you, but you eat them anyway?
• Do you feel guilty after eating?

The Role of Allergies in Food Addiction

Many individuals have what may be termed food allergies. These are trigger foods which when ingested cause negative symptoms and changes in the body but at the same time provoke cravings. For instance, a diabetic may be made sick by the intake of sugar, but will still continue to crave it and eat it in excess, with adverse effects.

Studies are also continuing regarding certain proteins in milk and wheat which when ingested produce narcotic-like effects. These chemicals mimic the body’s natural painkillers, endorphins, and have thus been termed "exorphins." Individuals may be suffering from depression, low self-esteem or loneliness; they will find a high when ingesting large quantities of food or certain foods such as salt or chocolate. The immediate high gives way to a sick feeling or guilt, leading to more depression. Because the addict is out of control, he or she will turn once again to the same eating patterns in a conscious or unconscious effort to feel better.

Recovery From Food Addiction

Food addiction is a serious condition with many adverse health consequences. Obesity, psychological disorders, diabetes, and gastric anomalies are just a few. The first step to recovery is, of course, the realization and acceptance of the problem.