5 Tips for Beating Overeating Addictions
When people talk about addiction, the first thing that comes to mind is usually drug or substance abuse. But, there are other types of addiction that might not be quite as apparent, which can be damaging to a person’s health. In fact, there are other types of addictions that can trigger the same brain responses by creating a neurochemical dependency. Food addiction one problem that is becoming more common, and it is important to learn more about this dependency to understand the differences between regular eating habits and addictive patterns.
Neurochemical Dependency on Food
Obviously, eating food every day doesn’t mean that you have an addiction, because the body needs sustenance and nutrient support from the things that you are eating. Many times food addiction shows up in the form of overeating, when a person eats much more than the amount that is needed to support life. Certain types of indulgent foods can actually trigger changes within the brain, which creates a neurochemical dependency for the person.
When a person with a food addiction eats these indulgent foods, there is a release of dopamine within the brain. This neurotransmitter is a feel-good chemical that provides an internal reward to the person for eating the food, which creates a pattern of positive reinforcement for overeating unhealthy foods. Once this pattern is developed, it becomes compulsive and much more difficult to overcome the behavior without the help from a professional treatment program, such as our non 12 step holistic addiction recovery center.
This chemical dependency is much more than simply making better food choices at dinner time, because the person logically knows that they would like to change their eating habits and overcome their weight issues. But, it is very difficult for them to change their behaviors. If you find yourself in this situation, then we invite you to contact us to learn more about our non 12 step addiction recovery program.
Tips for Overcoming food Addiction
It can be very difficult to overcome an addiction without the support of a team of professionals, which is why you should consider the benefits of a holistic non-12 step program. Here are a few things that you can do to recover from the addiction:
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Recognize Cues: When you pay attention to the behavior patterns, you will see specific cues that might lead you to overeat. Work to eliminate those cues and put together an action plan to help you maintain the cues when they occur.
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Eating Patterns: A food addict often has irregular eating patterns, which includes behavior such as skipping meals and then binging on a lot of food at once. Developing a regular pattern of eating can be helpful, and this eating plan should include both meals and snacks.
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Exercise: Regular exercise helps to reduce stress, balance hormones and chemicals within the body, and it has been found to reduce addictive behaviors as well.
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Peer Support: It can be very effective to talk to and connect with other people who have overcome the same addiction. Look for local resources on your area.
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Professional Help: It can be difficult to overcome any type of addiction without professional assistance, which is why you should seek the help of a treatment center.
Are you interested in learning more about our non 12 step holistic addiction recovery center? Contact us at The Sanctuary at Sedona for more information: (928) 639-1300