Many people are addicted to food and do not even know it. People who are depressed due to weight gain low self-esteem feelings of being unworthy. The more as a society individuals continue to avoid themselves or the true purpose and keep going for the quick fix the more food addiction will run rampant. If I said to him or her, a slice of bread with butter on top which he or she is about to eat is just like a glass of scotch is to an alcoholic more than likely he or she will look at me and say that’s crazy! Those of us afflicted with an eating disorder in recovery know that is the truth.

The reality is more people are food addicted than is known. The weight loss industry is a multi-billion dollar industry for a reason-the foods people eat today are refined sugars and carbohydrates foods that are easily prepared either frozen foods or fast foods. Today everyone is on the go running from one place to the next fitting in as much as possible into each hour of the day and taking less time to care for them. Dieting doesn’t work lifestyle changes work. Making slow progress will have a long lasting affect rather then to starve and go on a food binge due to deprivation.

The constant reminders of foods on a commercial, a bill board on the side of the road, a magazine advertisement the smell of fresh bread toasting while standing in line for coffee these are triggers. The mind is a powerful tool it remembers things with the five senses sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing. In order to get better he or she has to learn what their triggers are. Eating disorder treatment programs teach individuals to identify what he or she needs to implement in order to protect them from addiction. Treatment also teaches the individual to reprogram the responses to people, places and things without resorting to food addiction.

Eating disorder treatment programs address the physical and psychological addiction to food. Treatment teaches you to identify and plan so you do not have to pick up food as a coping mechanism. Certain people, places and things are no longer a part of your life due to the association he or she may have to it. Thinking the thought all the way through! No true relief comes from instant gratification or the quick fix. What you learn in treatment is priceless yes he or she can live a life free from food addiction.