Cross addicted....

SJK+ · 12-20-2004, 04:48 PM

I just discovered this board.

I have been in recovery from Alcohol for nearly 16 years (one day at a time!).

But I can see that sugar and starches are trigger foods for me.
Been doing some binging, and realize that when I am in a binge period, I am looking for food (obsessively) even when I am not hungry!

So back on induction, reminding myself that after 3 or 4 days I feel SO GOOD and no cravings!

PS - any other men on this board? I have to say, I tried a few OA meetings about 5 years ago, and was the only guy ever at a meeting....

SilkAsha · 12-21-2004, 08:23 AM

SJK -- In addition to being a ffod addict (well, just a compulsive person, really), I have worked as a nurse in mental health for 8 years. I have seen many people who stopped drinking and started eating. In my own family, I have a father who was alcoholic and bulemic, and I am a bulemic who has to be pretty careful about drinking.

There are even some theories about a biological and chemical basis for this withing the body -- that people who are predisposed to alcoholism biologically and people who are predisposed to compulsive eating may have some of the same circuits off kilter (sorry I can't be more specific -- It was stuff I read a couple of years back). The literature I read said both issues are related to carbo metabolism for some people-- imagine that!

So, you're not alone even if you are the only guy here right now.

SoHappy · 12-21-2004, 09:35 AM

Not a guy here, but wanted to say hello anyway. I'll be coming here each day to read Silkasha's question/thought for the day and give myself something more to ponder about myself. I'm expecting to just dive in soon. I'm so tired of myself like this.....

ps: I enjoyed your website.

MaryMary · 12-21-2004, 02:15 PM

Steven,

My husband is in recovery from alcohol and just recently began the GSA program for food addiction. We both think that the common physical link aside from brain DNA is that alcohol is derived from grains and sugars and I have problems with grains and sugars. It feels like an allergy attack only my stomach bloats up and I will get heartburn, indigestion and a sharp shooting pain up my left side and down my left arm after a binge on sugars and grains. I know this because I know exactly the last time this happened. On occasion a sugar/grain binge has also brought on heart palpitations and a feeling of panic. Today, these problems are in remission since I don't eat sugars and grains or alcohol, caffeine, coffee or aspartame.

The GSA program I attend is mostly on the telephone through phone bridge meetings. And there are always a couple of guys on the meetings, some in fact lead the meetings. There are 4-5 a day, seven days a week.

loadislight · 12-21-2004, 07:32 PM

SJK+,

Hi, my name is David and I'm a food addict. Food is my primary addiction, however I have often used alcohol and drugs (in the past) to medicate. I have a support/accountability buddy (from this thread) that helps me stay sane and out of the food. In addition, I attend a "Celebrate Recovery" 12 step group at my Church. I have been on atkins for about 3 months and getting the carbs out of my system has helped me to be FAR less compulsive. Atkins will not address the emotional issues that drive my addictions, I need people for that. I hope you find something that will help you here and wish you luck in your recovery.

David C.

12-20-2004, 04:48 PM	#1
SJK+ Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 826 Gallery: SJK+ Stats: Largest/Large/Just right WOE: Atkins Induction Start Date: 2/02, restart AGAIN 12/08	Cross addicted.... I just discovered this board. I have been in recovery from Alcohol for nearly 16 years (one day at a time!). But I can see that sugar and starches are trigger foods for me. Been doing some binging, and realize that when I am in a binge period, I am looking for food (obsessively) even when I am not hungry! So back on induction, reminding myself that after 3 or 4 days I feel SO GOOD and no cravings! PS - any other men on this board? I have to say, I tried a few OA meetings about 5 years ago, and was the only guy ever at a meeting.... __________________ Steven+ St. John's, Detroit My Church blog My weightloss blog Family's YouTube videos +Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam+

12-21-2004, 08:23 AM	#2
SilkAsha Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Albuquerque, Land of Entrapment Posts: 222 Gallery: SilkAsha	SJK -- In addition to being a ffod addict (well, just a compulsive person, really), I have worked as a nurse in mental health for 8 years. I have seen many people who stopped drinking and started eating. In my own family, I have a father who was alcoholic and bulemic, and I am a bulemic who has to be pretty careful about drinking. There are even some theories about a biological and chemical basis for this withing the body -- that people who are predisposed to alcoholism biologically and people who are predisposed to compulsive eating may have some of the same circuits off kilter (sorry I can't be more specific -- It was stuff I read a couple of years back). The literature I read said both issues are related to carbo metabolism for some people-- imagine that! So, you're not alone even if you are the only guy here right now. __________________ Low carb since June 2000. And now that I've gained it back, I at least know what DOESN'T work You can fool your brain, but you can't fool your body Last edited by SilkAsha : 12-21-2004 at 08:26 AM.

12-21-2004, 09:35 AM	#3
SoHappy MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,816 Gallery: SoHappy	Saying Hello Not a guy here, but wanted to say hello anyway. I'll be coming here each day to read Silkasha's question/thought for the day and give myself something more to ponder about myself. I'm expecting to just dive in soon. I'm so tired of myself like this..... ps: I enjoyed your website.

12-21-2004, 02:15 PM	#4
MaryMary Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: New Hampshire BMI:57/24-Maintaining Posts: 4,839 Gallery: MaryMary Stats: 376 lbs/155 lbs//Age 60// 5'7" BF%:47+%/28.4%/25% WOE: GSA Cambridge Greysheet "www.greysheet.org" Start Date: Atkins 1/22/01; GSA 12/23/03 - Total Loss 221 lbs.	Steven, My husband is in recovery from alcohol and just recently began the GSA program for food addiction. We both think that the common physical link aside from brain DNA is that alcohol is derived from grains and sugars and I have problems with grains and sugars. It feels like an allergy attack only my stomach bloats up and I will get heartburn, indigestion and a sharp shooting pain up my left side and down my left arm after a binge on sugars and grains. I know this because I know exactly the last time this happened. On occasion a sugar/grain binge has also brought on heart palpitations and a feeling of panic. Today, these problems are in remission since I don't eat sugars and grains or alcohol, caffeine, coffee or aspartame. The GSA program I attend is mostly on the telephone through phone bridge meetings. And there are always a couple of guys on the meetings, some in fact lead the meetings. There are 4-5 a day, seven days a week. __________________ 2001/2002/2003 - Lost 105 lbs. on Atkins & exercise 2004/2005/2006 - Lost 116 lbs. on the Cambridge Greysheet & GSA (www.greysheet.org) - A 12 Step Program for Carb Sensitive Folks 2006- Panniculectomy - Surgically removed 6 lbs. hanging skin 2007/2008 - Maintaining Free from Compulsive Eating Abstinent since 6/21/2004 by the grace of a Power greater than myself My Journey in Pics from Jan 2001 to June 2006 --LOST 221 LBS. - PEACE !!!--

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12-21-2004, 07:32 PM	#5
loadislight Junior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fairfax, Virginia Posts: 29 Gallery: loadislight Stats: 268/249/174 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 9/18/04	SJK+, Hi, my name is David and I'm a food addict. Food is my primary addiction, however I have often used alcohol and drugs (in the past) to medicate. I have a support/accountability buddy (from this thread) that helps me stay sane and out of the food. In addition, I attend a "Celebrate Recovery" 12 step group at my Church. I have been on atkins for about 3 months and getting the carbs out of my system has helped me to be FAR less compulsive. Atkins will not address the emotional issues that drive my addictions, I need people for that. I hope you find something that will help you here and wish you luck in your recovery. David C.