Struggling with Food Addiction

(Sue) #1

Hello everyone,

I am coming back after yet another fall off the wagon / binge episode whatever you want to call it. I am now convinced that I am struggling with an addiction (am a recovering alcoholic with a couple relapses and 2+yrs of sobriety, so I know the disease).
I have attended a few OA and FA meetings, but the God stuff is not for me. I will keep going in hopes of finding an atheist tribe.
I think I just felt like sharing. I am feeling hopeless. I am hoping for a sober weekend. Eating keto is the only time that I am not constantly obsessed with food. But so far I have gone 3-4 weeks at a time and have a relapse. All I can do is keep trying.

#2

There are support groups I believe for atheist regarding addiction. I personally do not think I could have gotten sober without God, but I have heard others say they did. I have seen quite a few youtube videos of people who didnā€™t like the 12 step groups because of various reasons including the God concept, and still found ways to deal with their addictions. I do not know if it provided long term relief from their addictions but Iā€™m sure they exist. Have you looked into any support groups for these things that are geared towards atheist?

#3

Instead of giving in to non-Keto foods, you could try to have some tasty substitutes and see if when you feel that temptation having the sub does the trick! For example if the craving is for pizza try an Outer Aisle cauliflower crust or big portabella mushrooms topped with all the meat-cheese/low carb veggies you wantā€¦this definitely helps me at times, best wishes for you going forward :slightly_smiling_face:

(Sue) #4

Yes, I have an Agonistics AA group that I am part of that has helped with sobriety from alcohol.
Food though is a different type of challenge and it would be good to find people with the same type of challenge as I. I canā€™t find an OA or FA atheists/agnostics group in the city that I am in.

(Denise) #5

It sounds like you have a trigger there that is affecting you. One of the things about Atkins that I like is that it uses the Scientific method to slowly add foods back to the diet and then checking if it activates any cravings. This is a good process to try for any diet.
Low-carb foods that can cause cravings (depending on the individual)
cheese
nuts
berries
low-carb products (may not actually be low-carb)
sugar-alcohols
diet sodas/crystal light
One thing that Iā€™d suggest, is that if you have a question about any food that is advertised as low-carb, is that you take a blood-sugar reading 1 & 2 hours after eating. If your blood-sugar jacks up a lot, you have found the culprit.

#6

Have you considered starting one yourself ? I know there can be specific groups in AA like LGBT. It is possible to start a specific group for OA geared towards atheism. Iā€™m sure your not the only one struggling to find such a group.

(Sue) #7

I am seriously considering doing this. I thought exactly the same thing - I canā€™t be the only one who wants OA without God. I am going to try. I feel like I need to get a handle on my own sobriety before taking on any large scale project

(Sue) #8

I already stay away from dairy and nuts and fruits. I also donā€™t buy any low-carb labeled foods. I am trying to eat only non-processed foods at all times (no almond flour baking for now). I came to this after many many months of hoping I can indulge in something without bingeing.

#9

I would also start looking for forums or you tube videos with people dealing with the same issues with 12 step groups. You may be able to find some people who figured out a way to do it without those OA 12 step groups, and see what they suggest. You mentioned needing to get a better hold of your sobriety before considering taking on a big project, could you be more specific on what you mean by that?

#10

Hi Sue.
I very much understand your predicament, having lived it myself for more years (gah, decades) than I care to mention.
I tried OA a number of times, but like you I couldnā€™t deal with the ā€˜Godā€™ thing.
For what itā€™s worth, through various keto/sugar-free groups I came across this book, which I have found helpful:


Best of luck - continuing to try is better than giving up!

(Sue) #11

Blockquote Youmentioned needing to get a better hold of your sobriety before considering taking on a big project, could you be more specific on what you mean by that?

I mean taking it easy and doing one thing at a time. When I was first trying to get sober from alcohol, that was all I could focus on. Only after a few months I felt confident enough to make other changes in my life or pursue other goals. I feel the same way with food now - I need to lay down the tracks for non-compulsive eating, before I can do anything else. Not sure if this makes sense

#12

Yea it does I totally understand. Check some online forums about OA and atheism and look on YouTube because I had similar issues with AA 12 step stuff, mine was a for a little different reasons then you. For me as a Christian I canā€™t ascribe to a ā€œGodā€ they said could be a God of my own understanding including but not limited to a door knob, and I could just make him up if I didnā€™t like that one I had before since-that ā€œGodā€ according them couldnā€™t keep me sober. As if it had anything to do with that and not to do with the fact I couldnā€™t take personal responsibility for myself ā€¦Plus the 12 steps like it or not are based on 12 spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola (although they wonā€™t tell you that) and as a Catholic I found that concept easier to follow. I donā€™t by any means think 12 step programs are bad I think they help a great deal of people but itā€™s not for everyone. Do not be discouraged you donā€™t like them and are hoping to find alternatives. Lots of people in 12 step programs relapse so itā€™s not necessarily a miracle cure as people who attend would like everyone else to believe. Iā€™ve seen plenty of people join 12 step groups and have the same issues (drugs, relapse whatever )and I have seen people with severe issues with drugs, food, alcohol find a way without those programs so it is possible. I found a lot of good resources on YouTube from people who struggled with the 12 step stuff and itā€™s quite interesting because a lot of people did find ways to stay sober and Iā€™m sure even those struggling with food addictions too. Donā€™t be discouraged and there are other recovery programs too have you heard of ā€œrational recovery?ā€ That deals more with rational vs irrational thinking. Might be something you are interested in and I think there maybe be online support groups and forums and even possible local meetings. It sounds like you just need the connection with others who canā€™t stand the God stuff too and Iā€™m willing to bet there is programs that arenā€™t 12 step for you out there. Iā€™ll try to do some research myself and see what I can find and link it for you here.

#13

Iā€™m not positive but I think they lump all addictions together and itā€™s not specific towards food vs something else but itā€™s worth looking into. Thereā€™s also this guys site not sure how he runs 12 step stuff but I found his quote at the bottom ā€œfor people who think AA is a cult or donā€™t believe in God.ā€ Haha I always thought AA was a cult too. Looks like he talks about all addiction including food. Based on what I see I can see your delima because I couldnā€™t find much specifically geared toward food however I only looked for a little while so more research may produce better results. The rational recovery seems like a better alternative but check those out hopefully it can at least give you some ideas
https://addicts12steps.com

http://www.rational.org/index.php?id=51

http://www.positiveatheism.org/rw/rrshm.htm

(Sue) #14

Thanks Lbomb. You are so right. I am looking for comraderie and connection with other addicts. I truly believe that finding my agnostics AA group is what helped me get sober from alcohol. The website actually has a values based take on the 12 steps (not tacky door knob stuff, but identifying the key values from the 12 steps like: honesty, hope, courage, integrity, forgiveness, justice, humility, willingness, perseverance etc)

I have given the OA meetings a fair shake and I just cannot relate when folks talk about praying to remove cravings - I want to learn about Leptin resistance and insulin and the addictive brain and dopamine and vitamin D and binge eating disorder ā€¦

I think may be 12 step recovery isnā€™t for me. I will try the secular resources.