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Treatments for Food Addiction

A person who is living with a food addiction doesn't need to suffer in silence. Unlike a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, it isn't realistic for the individual to stop eating entirely. There are a number of treatment options available that can help the person develop a more healthy relationship with food.

Support Group

One type of treatment used to treat food addiction is for the addict to join an over eaters support group. Through listening to other people's experiences with food addiction and sharing their own, the members can start to think of food in a different way. If getting to a meeting would be problematic for a food addict, online support groups are an option.

Some people would prefer to share information online, since using a screen name gives them a certain degree of anonymity that they would not get by sharing this information in person. They can log in and read messages and post at a time that is convenient for them, from anywhere with Internet access.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

Treatment centers for food addicts provide therapy in both individual and group sessions for people who are struggling with food addiction. Working with a therapist allows them to understand why they became addicted to food in the first place, help them plan more appropriate meals, and how to recognize the symptoms of a relapse into self-destructive patterns.

Inpatient Treatment Programs

A person who is in the midst of a serious food addiction is a good candidate for intensive therapy as part of an inpatient treatment program. In this supportive environment, the addict is able to learn about healthy eating and coping strategies for dealing with the underlying issues surrounding the addiction.

Even with treatment, a food addiction is never cured. Recovery is an ongoing process, not a goal that the person can reach once and then move on from.

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