Addicted to Food… Gaining Recovery Tennie McCarty, LCDC, ADCIII, CEDC, CAS Founder, CEO and co-owner Shades of Hope Treatment Center Speaker Carrie L. Willey, PhD, LPC Clinical Director Shades of Hope Treatment Center

2 out of 3 Americans are overweight or obese. More than 24 million Americans suffer from eating disorders. AMERICA’S EPIDEMIC

Can you be addicted to food? "We found that the high food addiction group showed low inhibition. They have less control in their consumption, and that's something we've seen also in addicts," Ashley Gearhardt said.

ADDICTION CYCLE Emotional problems or stresses Attempt to sooth self, rid self of pain, or be in control  Overeaters numb with food  Bingers numb then rid self of pain  Anorexics starve to have control Leads to guilt and shame over behavior

Food Addiction is a disease… Physical allergy + Mental Obsession = Hole in the Soul The main problem is with our mind!

Food addiction affects the whole family…

If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother!

Father Hunger

How can we recover? We must first accept that we have a disease.

AnorexiaBulimia Compulsive Overeating Crave the “high” Numb feelings, crave release Numb out Eating Disorder Spectrum

FOOD ADDICT (Chemical dependency) Problem is physical, emotional & spiritual:  Abnormal response to certain foods  Physical craving  Mental obsession  Self-will run riot  Often trauma and weight issues Solution is physical, emotional & spiritual:  Abstinence from binge foods and behaviors  Rigorous honesty about thoughts and feelings  A disciplined spiritual program such as a 12 step program  Food plan, exercise, lifestyle change, express feelings, resolve trauma & body image/acceptance of body Using what process?  Surrender & grief process

We are perfectly, imperfect!

Substance Addiction Process Addiction Food/Eating Disorders Alcohol/Drugs Nicotine Sex/Love/Relationships Shopping/Credit Card Abuse Self Mutilation Exercise Gambling Internet and Thrill Seeking Core Pain/Issues Co-Dependence

Levels of Care  Thorough screening and assessment  Individual therapy and nutritional counseling  Support group  Out-patient services  Inpatient treatment - may be necessary if there is history of relapse Long-term care - for clients with chronic relapse

“It takes a village”

Q & A

Coming in March,

Food Addiction Conference April 20-22, 2012 Abilene, TX