Am I Addicted to Food?

This is a common question I hear:

It’s an understandable concern—especially when you experience intense urges to binge and feel at a complete loss of control around food. But does that mean you’re addicted?

It’s an important question to explore, as the clinical treatment for addiction is different from how we address disordered eating patterns.

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Food, particularly food that is restricted, has the ability to affect the dopaminergic system in the brain, leading to a rise in dopamine levels and a feeling of pleasure. This effect can lead to increased cravings and potentially contribute to feelings of addiction….but is it actually addiction?

What Is Addiction?

According to the NHS, addiction is "not having control over doing, taking, or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you."

Addiction is most commonly linked to substances like gambling, alcohol, drugs, and smoking—but it can also apply to behaviours like sex or internet use.

So, is binge eating the same?

Let’s consider the similarities:

• You may experience cravings or urges to binge

• You might feel a loss of control around eating

• You’re often preoccupied with thoughts about food

• You may use eating as a way to cope with stress or difficult emotions

• You might deny the severity of the problem

• You try to keep it a secret

• You continue the behaviour despite its negative effects

• You’ve tried—unsuccessfully—to stop many times

These experiences are very real and can feel deeply distressing. They absolutely deserve attention and support.
But do they prove you’re a “food addict”?

Key Differences Between Binge Eating and Substance Addictions

Let’s look at some important distinctions between binge eating and substance addictions like alcohol or drug use:

1. It’s rarely about one specific food.
   People don’t tend to binge on just one item, like the same chocolate bar each time. Bingeing is typically more about the quantity than the specific food.
   Ask yourself: If you eat one chocolate bar, does that make you an addict?

2. Avoidance is often already happening.
   Many people who binge are actually trying to restrict or avoid certain foods—like sugar.
   In addiction therapy, the goal is often complete avoidance of the substance. But in binge eating, avoidance can be what triggers the binge in the first place.

3. There is fear and guilt around the behaviour.
   People who binge often fear bingeing and go to great lengths to avoid “bad” foods.
   This avoidance increases the mental value of those foods, creating a cycle of restriction and bingeing.
   Does an alcoholic fear alcohol in the same way? Do they avoid certain alcohol types for fear it might lead to a binge?

It’s More Complex Than It Seems

Not everyone who struggles with binge eating is avoiding food—but as you can see, the picture is more complex than a simple label of "addiction."

You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck

If you’re struggling with bingeing, emotional eating, or feel like you’re caught in a cycle you don’t understand—know that support is available.

You can book a one-hour deep dive session with me where we’ll explore your goals and motivations and begin to uncover what may be keeping you stuck.

[Follow this link to learn more]